French Foreign Minister Jean Noël Barrot reaffirmed France’s support for the Kurdish population in northeastern Syria (Rojava), recognizing them as key allies in the fight against ISIS. The statement was made on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, as France prepares to host an international meeting on Syria's evolving political landscape.

“Our Kurdish allies must be protected, and their rights must be achieved,” Barrot declared, emphasizing France’s ongoing commitment to Kurdish security and political rights. The French Foreign Ministry announced that a high-level meeting with Arab, Turkish, and Western allies would be convened in January 2025 to address the situation in Syria.

Barrot also stressed that any engagement with Syria’s new government must be action-based rather than rhetoric-driven. This statement follows a significant diplomatic shift, as France raised its flag at its embassy in Damascus on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, marking the first time in 12 years that the French flag has flown over the embassy. The move signals France’s readiness to engage with the new Syrian leadership, a stance echoed by European Union officials who are similarly prepared to open channels of communication.

An official French government source announced that France would host an international meeting on Syria’s situation in January 2025. Discussions will include the potential lifting of sanctions and the provision of reconstruction aid. However, such support will be conditional on clear political and security commitments from Syria’s transitional authority.

France’s diplomatic efforts extend beyond Syria. On December 11, 2024, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and French Foreign Minister Jean Noël Barrot held a telephone conversation to discuss regional security. Both officials raised concerns about the resurgence of ISIS, stressing the need for joint action to prevent the group's re-emergence in Syria and Iraq. The two ministers also discussed the importance of maintaining stability and security in Syria, with an emphasis on consistent coordination between their respective countries and the activation of the United Nations mission to enhance regional stability.

The upcoming international meeting in January is expected to bring together key stakeholders, including Arab, Turkish, and Western allies, to address the ongoing challenges in Syria. France’s conditional approach to sanctions relief and reconstruction aid underscores its intention to ensure that Syria’s transitional authority upholds political and security reforms.

The developments mark a pivotal shift in European diplomatic engagement with Syria, signaling a new phase of international involvement in the country’s reconstruction and political transition. The protection of Kurdish allies remains a key priority for France, as it continues to champion their rights and security amid the ongoing regional turmoil.