Damascus, 06. Dec (SANA) A new strategic approach aimed at reintegrating Syria into the Arab and international arenas has taken shape through President Ahmad al-Sharaa’s extensive foreign tours. Far from being symbolic diplomatic gestures, the president’s 21 visits carried significant political messages, outlining Syria’s foreign policy and an attempt to reassert its presence in global affairs after years of isolation under the deposed regime.
From Riyadh to Washington and from Paris to Moscow, al-Sharaa underscored Syria’s ambition to present itself as a balanced and constructive actor. His first stop was the Saudi capital on February 2, 2025, where he met with Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman a visit followed by two additional trips that reflected Damascus’ view of Riyadh as a key gateway back into the Arab fold.
Saudi Partnership
“We held extensive meetings during which we sensed a genuine desire to support Syria in building its future,” al-Sharaa said, noting shared commitments to Syrian sovereignty and stability. Discussions covered a range of political and economic topics, aiming to establish a true partnership that would contribute to regional stability and help improve living conditions for the Syrian people.
On February 4, al-Sharaa visited Ankara for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the presidential complex. He praised Turkey’s “honorable and positive stance toward the just cause of the Syrian people,” describing it as a model of regional solidarity. His next stop was Amman, where he met King Abdullah II to explore ways to deepen cooperation, improve coordination, and strengthen Arab unity.
Return to the Arab League
In Syria’s first participation in an Arab summit since the fall of the former regime, President al-Sharaa attended the emergency “Palestine Summit” held in Cairo on March 4. He affirmed Syria’s support for the Palestinian people “in every step toward justice and liberation,” emphasizing that Syria’s return to the Arab League signals its renewed commitment to regional security and stability.
On the sidelines of the summit, al-Sharaa held meetings with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council chief Rashad Al-Alimi, European Council President António Costa and UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
A Five-Party Summit
In a notable diplomatic development, France hosted a virtual five-party summit on March 28, bringing together Sharaa, French President Emmanuel Macron, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The talks addressed key regional and international issues impacting Middle Eastern stability and touched on sensitive matters affecting the relationships among the five nations.
Antalya Diplomacy Forum
On April 11, al-Sharaa returned to Turkey to participate in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, underscoring Syria’s belief in dialogue and diplomacy as essential tools for resolving conflicts. He held meetings with President Erdoğan, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, and Iraq Kurdistan Regional Government President Nechirvan Barzani, discussing ways to strengthen bilateral ties.
Arab Unity
Two days later, al-Sharaa traveled to Abu Dhabi, where he discussed regional developments and bilateral cooperation with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed.
Qatar became al-Sharaa’s seventh destination, where he assured Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad that the Syrian people “will not forget Qatar’s sincere stance and steadfast support.” Doha also hosted a tripartite meeting between al-Sharaa and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani, marking an important step toward establishing balanced, mutually respectful relations between Damascus and Baghdad.
rebuilding Bridges with Europe: al- Sharaa’s Paris Visit Marks a Diplomatic Turning Point
President Ahmed Sharaa’s visit to Paris on May 7, became a key milestone in his broader effort to rebuild relations with Europe. Welcomed at the Élysée Palace by French President Emmanuel Macron, al-Sharaa emphasized Syria’s interest in restoring friendly ties with France and cooperating across multiple fields to serve the interests of both nations. Macron, for his part, reiterated France’s support for Syria’s unity and sovereignty, signaling his intention to push for a gradual lifting of EU sanctions on Damascus.
On May 10, al-Sharaa traveled to Manama, where he met King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa at Sakhir Palace. Talks focused on coordinating efforts on shared regional concerns, in an atmosphere reflecting the long-standing ties between Bahrain and Syria.
Trump Meeting Follows U.S. Sanctions Removal
On May 13, U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking from Riyadh, announced the lifting of American sanctions on Syria. A day later, al- Sharaa met Trump on the sidelines of the U.S.-GCC Summit, joined by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman and, via phone, President Erdoğan. Trump said Washington was considering normalization with Damascus, adding that the sanctions removal aimed to give Syria “a new opportunity” after years of hardship.
A Third Visit to Turkey
Al-Sharaa’s 11th trip abroad took him to Istanbul on May 24, marking his third visit to Turkey. He held further discussions with President Erdoğan on shared strategic files. The next day, in Ankara, he met Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, Turkey’s finance and treasury officials, and the central bank governor. Al-Sharaa also held talks with U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack, part of Damascus’ broader effort to rebuild strategic ties with Washington.
Azerbaijani Gas for Syria
On June 1, al-Sharaa visited Kuwait, meeting Emir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to reinforce bilateral cooperation and Arab solidarity. A second visit to the UAE followed on July 7; five days later, al-Sharaa arrived in Baku for talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, during which both sides signed an MoU to supply natural gas to Syria via Turkey.
Arab-Islamic Summit in Qatar
By mid-September, al-Sharaa was in Doha for an emergency Arab-Islamic summit addressing the Israeli attack on the Qatari capital. On the sidelines, he met the Qatari Emir, the Saudi Crown Prince and the Turkish and Lebanese presidents.
“The Syrian Story” in New York
Between September 22 and 25, al- Sharaa traveled to New York for the UN General Assembly marking the first appearance by a Syrian president at the UN since 1967. In his address, al-Sharaa presented what he called “the Syrian story,”. The visit, which included 22 bilateral and multilateral meetings, also brought another meeting with President Trump and included talks with Arab and European leaders as well as heads of international organizations.
From New York to Moscow
On October 15, al-Sharaa visited Moscow, where he met President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin to discuss bilateral ties and expand strategic cooperation. Days later, on October 28, he attended Saudi Arabia’s Future Investment Initiative.
In early November (Nov. 6–7), al-Sharaa took part in the presidential COP30 climate summit in Brazil, holding ten bilateral meetings with international leaders, including the presidents of France and Finland, the prime ministers of the Netherlands and Spain, and the UN Secretary-General.
A Historic White House Summit
Al-Sharaa’s diplomatic marathon culminated in a landmark meeting with President Trump at the White House on November 10, the first visit by a Syrian head of state to Washington since Syria’s independence in 1946. The meeting carried significant symbolism, signaling Washington’s willingness to re-engage with Damascus following the removal of sanctions, including the Caesar Act.
The visit marked a turning point in U.S.-Syria relations amid signs of American openness to cooperation with Damascus. For Syrian officials, the moment represented the culmination of internal and external gains and the beginning of a new phase of reconstruction, sovereignty-centered governance, and reintegration into the global system.
Doha Forum
On December 6, 2025, President al- Sharaa returned to Doha to participate in the 23rd edition of the Doha Forum, held under the theme: “Advancing Justice… From Promises to Tangible Reality.”
