French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Thursday said that Paris is developing "alternative routes" following a return to war between the US and Iran, singling out Syria as a primary gateway to Persian Gulf oil.
"Among all the efforts we have made since the start of this crisis, there is the idea of preparing alternative routes so that we are not dependent on blockages here or there," Barrot said.
AFP/Getty Images: French President Emmanuel Macron shakes hands with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa during a visit to the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus on July 6.The foreign minister noted that Syria is currently reunifying after the collapse of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad's government, and could emerge as a "new regional hub." He also identified Syria as a strategic corridor for Gulf oil to mitigate supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Barrot emphasized that France intends to expand trade and economic cooperation with Damascus while securing a pathway for Gulf producers.
The transition requires comprehensive infrastructure assessments and security guarantees, the foreign minister said, viewing these efforts as essential to securing global energy markets.
The announcement follows French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Damascus on Tuesday, where he met with former Al-Qaeda chief and self-appointed Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa to discuss regional stability.
Joining Macron on his visit
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