France's Diplomatic Mission: New Relations with Syria's Future

France plans to send a group of diplomats to Syria to assess the current political and security situation on the ground. This underscores the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs' willingness to support the Syrian population during this precarious time. It remains unclear which local actors will be part of these discussions. The EU countries are open to the power shift in Syria, although cooperation with the rebels, including the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham classified as terrorist by the EU, is critically evaluated. France's political strategy in the region, after breaking off relations with Bashar al-Assad in 2012, is oriented towards supporting secular opposition groups in exile and Kurdish forces in northeastern Syria. In line with the United Nations guidelines, Paris demands a credible and inclusive political transition phase in Syria. The diplomatic rapprochement with Syria's new leadership could benefit from the fact that France has never attempted to normalize its relations with Assad's regime.