Erdogan praises France’s decision to send diplomatic mission to Damascus

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a supporter of Syria’s new leadership, welcomed France’s decision to send a diplomatic mission to Damascus, according to a statement from Ankara on Wednesday following a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron.

"During the conversation, President Erdogan expressed his satisfaction with France’s decision to reopen its embassy in Syria," the Turkish presidency stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

On Tuesday, France dispatched a team of four diplomats to Damascus, where they met with a representative appointed by Syria’s transitional authorities. Their mission also included an assessment of the French Embassy, closed since 2012, with a view to reopening it, pending improvements in the political and security conditions.

France’s tricolor flag now flies again over its embassy in Damascus, joining similar initiatives by Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United Nations, which have sent envoys to establish contact with the transition authorities.

Turkey Reopens Its Embassy in Damascus

Turkey had already reopened its embassy in Damascus on Saturday, marking the first time in over a decade that Turkish diplomats have resumed an official presence in Syria. The move underscores Ankara’s support for the new Syrian leadership, despite ongoing global apprehension about the radical Islamist composition of the transitional government.

The new Syrian authorities have begun efforts to reassure the international community of their capacity to stabilize the country, which remains fractured and war-torn after 13 years of civil war. However, Western powers, including France, Germany, and the UK, remain cautious, closely monitoring the new government’s actions and potential for genuine reform.

The reopening of embassies and diplomatic missions reflects a measured re-engagement with Syria, as nations weigh the prospects for stability under the new leadership against the risks posed by its Islamist dominance.