Syria and France Hold Multi-Talks on Economic and Financial Cooperation in Damascus

Damascus hosted a series of Syrian-French meetings at multiple official levels, addressing pathways to strengthen economic and financial cooperation as part of broader efforts to support Syria's economic recovery.

Finance Ministry Meeting

Syrian Finance Minister Mohammad Yasser Barnieh met with French Chargé d'Affaires Jean-Baptiste Faivre at the ministry's headquarters in Damascus to discuss the financing needs of development projects in Syria and the role that French and European institutions can play in meeting those needs.

The talks also covered ongoing cooperation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, the outcomes of the Spring Meetings held in Washington, and avenues for strengthening support from European Union member states.

Financial Transparency and Development Priorities

Minister Barnieh affirmed that the Syrian government is working to enhance financial transparency, noting the publication of the Citizen's Version of the 2026 Budget as a tool to inform the public about government spending plans and policy initiatives.

He underscored the importance of focusing on sustainable development projects in affected areas, with priority given to the Syrian Jazira region and the south of the country, alongside support for the Syria Without Camps initiative, which aims to improve living conditions and service delivery across several governorates.

Energy Sector Investment Opportunities

In a parallel meeting, the Chief Executive of the Syrian Petroleum Company, Youssef Qabblawi, met with the French chargé d'affaires to explore ways to increase the participation of French and European companies in investment in Syria's oil and gas sectors.

The Syrian Petroleum Company stated that the meeting addressed available investment opportunities and mechanisms for attracting companies seeking to enter the Syrian market, with a view to advancing sector development and deepening bilateral cooperation in the coming period.

Reopening Syria's Central Bank Account in France

In a related development, Central Bank of Syria Governor Abdulkader al-Husrieh met with the French chargé d'affaires to discuss reopening Syria's Central Bank account in France, a step considered essential for facilitating financial transactions and strengthening communication channels with European institutions.

These meetings reflect a growing momentum in Syrian-French diplomatic and economic engagement, signalling sustained French interest in supporting Syria's rebuilding process and encouraging institutional participation in the Syrian market.