Syria to attend G7 summit

Reuters reported on May 21 that Syria will attend next month’s G7 summit in France as a guest nation, with President Ahmed al-Sharaa set to represent Damascus. Three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that the June 15-17 meeting in Évian-les-Bains will mark Syria’s first participation in a summit of the group since the forum was founded in 1975. (usnews.com) One of those sources said the invitation was hand-delivered to Syrian Finance Minister Yisr Barnieh during G7 financial talks in Paris earlier this week. France’s 2026 G7 presidency says the leaders’ summit will be held in Évian from June 15 to 17. French government and EU pages describe the summit as the annual gathering of the seven member states — France, the United States, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, Italy and Germany — alongside the European Union and invited guests. (elysee.fr) ### How was Syria invited? Yisr Barnieh received the invitation in Paris during the G7’s finance track, according to Reuters and Arab News’ republication of the Reuters report. The invitation to al-Sharaa was delivered by hand, one source said, linking Syria’s appearance at the leaders’ summit to contacts already under way between Damascus and G7 officials. (usnews.com) Reuters separately reported earlier this week that Syria was joining closed G7 finance sessions in Paris. That report, cited by Enab Baladi, said Barnieh was expected to take part in discussions on Syria’s sustainable recovery and reintegration into the global financial system. (elysee.fr) ### Why is this Syria’s first G7 appearance? Reuters said Syria’s attendance would be the country’s first participation in a G7 summit since the group was founded in 1975. That makes the June meeting a first for Damascus at the leaders’ level, rather than just a ministerial or technical session. (usnews.com) The French foreign ministry describes the G7 as a forum of the seven most industrialized countries that meets each year to coordinate responses to major global and economic issues. France took over the rotating presidency in 2026 and set the summit for Évian, reviving a venue that previously hosted the 2003 G8 summit. (english.enabbaladi.net) ### What is Syria expected to talk about in Évian? A Syrian official cited by Reuters said Syria’s participation would likely focus on the country’s role as a “potential strategic hub for supply chains” after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Reuters and Arab News said shipping through the strait has been largely halted since the Iran war erupted at the end of February. (usnews.com) Reuters said Syria is trying to rebuild an economy damaged by 14 years of civil war, conflict and sanctions. The same report said that while most sanctions imposed during the rule of Hafez and Bashar al-Assad have been eased, Syrian officials have found it harder than expected to attract foreign investment and restore normal banking ties. (diplomatie.gouv.fr) ### Who else will be at the summit? France’s official G7 pages say President Emmanuel Macron will host the summit under France’s 2026 presidency. The core participants are the leaders of the seven member states, with the European Union also represented, and French and Swiss government pages say other invited heads of state and government will attend as guests. (arabnews.com) Reuters’ report said global leaders expected in Évian include U.S. President Donald Trump. The summit comes after Syria’s participation in finance-track meetings in Paris, which Reuters-linked reports described as part of the run-up to the leaders’ gathering in June. (arabnews.com) ### What happens next before June 15? June 15 is the next fixed date in the story. France’s presidency website, the French foreign ministry and the European Council all list the Évian summit for June 15-17, when al-Sharaa is expected to appear alongside G7 leaders and other invited guests if the invitation proceeds as described by the sources cited by Reuters. (usnews.com) (elysee.fr)