France will continue to support efforts to rebuild Syria

Thank you Mr. President,

I thank the Special Envoy for Syria Mr. Geir O. Pedersen and to the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mr. Tom Fletcher for your particularly dense briefings, as well as to you, Ms. Seif, for your enlightening testimony and also for years of resistance to oppression.

In December 2024, after decades of repression and years of struggle against dictatorship and violence, the Assad regime fell in Syria. The transition that has begun has given rise to many hopes, but also to concerns. The international community must stand by the Syrian people. This is the path that France has chosen.

Four priorities in this regard.

First of all: an end to the violence.

The massacres that took place at the beginning of this month in the coastal region show that the risk of Syria breaking up is a reality. France has condemned these massacres. It is now necessary that those responsible for the violence, on whatever side, be brought to justice. This demand echoes the expectations of a transitional justice that holds accountable those who committed crimes under the Assad regime, but also since its fall. The United Nations has offered its support. I welcome the presence of Ms. Quintana in the audience.

In the northeast, the agreement signed between the interim authorities in Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces is a first step towards a negotiated solution for the unification of Syria and the guarantee of the rights and interests of the Kurds of Syria.

The transition in Syria is taking place in a context where terrorism remains powerful. It is essential that the authorities in Damascus continue to fight this threat, in particular against Daesh, and resolve the issue of foreign terrorist fighters.

Similarly, the dismantling of the chemical weapons program and cooperation with the OPCW are high expectations of the international community. We welcome the OPCW’s recent and first mission to Syria.

Secondly: freedom for the Syrian people.

The transition requires respect for the aspirations of the Syrian people. The roadmap to which the Damascus authorities have committed themselves is clear: a peaceful political transition representing all sections of the Syrian people, in the spirit of the principles of resolution 2254. France supports the efforts of Mr. Geir Pedersen to support this process. The United Nations has an important role to play in supporting the ongoing political transition. We encourage the Syrian authorities to build a relationship of trust with the UN that will give concrete expression to the community’s support for Syria.

At the Paris conference on Syria on February 13, the transitional authorities signed a declaration containing specific commitments. Since then, initial results have been achieved: the first session of the national dialogue, the announcement of a provisional constitutional declaration. We call for this national dialogue to continue and for it to involve all sections of Syrian society, without exception. We call for the formation of a representative government, recognized as legitimate by all Syrians. The equal participation of Syrian women in decision-making is essential, as is respect for and consideration of all those who belong to the Christian, Kurdish, Shiite, Alawite and Druze minorities; these minorities have been a source of Syria’s wealth for centuries.

Third: humanitarian support and economic recovery.

Everyone knows that the people are enduring very serious privations, that the economy is in ruins, that the infrastructure is devastated. To support the political process, we must continue to work to guarantee access and humanitarian work, to support the recovery of the country and to facilitate the safe, dignified and voluntary return of Syrian refugees and internally displaced persons.

The European Union is committed to this. It has suspended certain restrictive measures in key economic sectors such as energy and transport to facilitate financial and banking transactions for reconstruction. On March 17, the Brussels conference mobilized 5.8 billion euros for Syria and neighboring countries, including 2.5 billion euros from the European Union for 2025 and 2026.

To ensure the convergence of humanitarian aid, a gradual shift to a recovery approach and support for the political transition, these efforts must be supported by continued coordination within the United Nations system.

Finally, Mr. President: peace in the region.

In an unstable regional environment, Syria must become a center of peace and security. This requires the resumption of dialogue with Lebanon regarding their shared border.

It also requires an end to military activities in the Golan Heights. We urge Israel to cease the bombings, to withdraw from the separation zone defined by the 1974 disengagement agreement and to respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Syria and Israel must take account of each other’s security concerns.

France, Mr. President, will continue to support efforts for the recovery of Syria, for the freedom of all Syrians, for regional stability and for the fight against terrorism.

Thank you.