The French frigate Surcouf docked Thursday at Syria’s western Latakia port in the first visit by a French military vessel to the country, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported.
SANA said Syrian Navy and Coastal Defense Commander Brig. Gen. Mohammad al-Saud received a French military delegation aboard the frigate, headed by Adm. Makara Ok, with officers from both sides attending.
The two sides discussed ways to strengthen military cooperation in the maritime field and develop bilateral relations, the agency said.
On Wednesday, French Embassy charge d’affaires in Syria Jean-Baptiste Faivre said on US social media company X that the visit reflected France’s support for Syria’s stability and sovereignty.
He said the talks were aimed at “laying the foundations for maritime cooperation between our two countries.”
Faivre also described the port call as the “first visit by a French military vessel to Syria,” without specifying the period he was referring to. SANA likewise provided no timeframe.
On Sept. 23, Syrian Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra discussed ways to develop defense cooperation with a delegation from France’s Directorate General of Armaments, according to SANA.
On July 7, Syria and France signed a framework declaration in Damascus covering security and defense cooperation during a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to Syria.
The Surcouf, hull number F711, is a La Fayette-class multipurpose frigate.
It entered service with the French Navy on Feb. 7, 1997, according to the French Armed Forces Ministry.
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