A delegation from the French Senate has held a series of meetings in Damascus with senior Syrian officials, focusing on parliamentary ties, bilateral relations and cooperation in the security, administrative, economic and financial fields.

Syrian Parliament Speaker Abdul Hamid al-Awak received the delegation, headed by Olivier Cigolotti, in the presence of members of the parliament’s bureau. According to the Syrian parliament, the talks focused on the importance of parliamentary diplomacy and ways to develop cooperation between Syria and France.

The French delegation also included senators Étienne Blanc, Nicole Duranton and Michel Gréaume, as well as Jean-Baptiste Faivre, chargé d’affaires at the French embassy in Damascus.

On Thursday, Interior Minister Anas Khattab met the same delegation to discuss the development of Syrian-French relations and the activation of cooperation in the security and administrative fields, according to the Interior Ministry.

The visit also included talks with Finance Minister Mohammed Yusr Barnieh on prospects for strengthening bilateral relations and expanding economic and financial cooperation and partnership.

The meetings come amid a broader effort to deepen relations between Damascus and Paris. In July, French President Emmanuel Macron visited Syria in the first visit by a French president since 2009. During the visit, the two countries signed a package of agreements and strategic memoranda of understanding aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation in several fields.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.

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