Turkey and France discuss lifting sanctions on Syria

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has welcomed the European Union’s roadmap for lifting sanctions against Syria, during a phone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday, according to a statement from the Turkish presidency.

This exchange, the second between the two leaders since December 18, took place 48 hours after Macron’s call to Ahmad al-Chareh, Syria’s interim president, marking the first direct contact between a Western leader and the new Syrian leadership.

During the call, Erdogan described the suspension of EU sanctions against Syria as extremely appropriate and emphasized the importance of lifting them completely. 

He also reaffirmed that Turkey would continue its support for Syria, as stated in the Turkish presidency's communiqué.

Furthermore, Erdogan stressed that intensifying dialogue between Turkey and France would positively impact bilateral relations, highlighting the potential for cooperation in various sectors, particularly in defense. 

Over the past years, Turkey has significantly strengthened its defense industry, gaining strategic leverage in the sector.

In late January, the European Union agreed on a roadmap to relax sanctions on Syria, imposed under the Bashar al-Assad regime. The new Syrian leadership has been advocating for the full removal of these sanctions, which they view as essential for the country's economic recovery and reconstruction.