The French frigate Surcouf’s visit to Latakia brought Syrian and French naval officials together for talks on maritime military cooperation, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported.
The frigate docked in the coastal city, where Brig. Gen. Mohammad al-Saud, commander of Syria’s naval forces and coastal defense, hosted a French delegation led by Adm. Mackara Ouk, SANA said, citing a Defense Ministry post on Telegram. Officers from both countries took part. The ministry said the agenda covered maritime military cooperation and bilateral relations.
SANA called it Syria’s first visit by a French military ship but gave no timeframe for the claim.
The visit follows a broader cooperation framework signed in Damascus on July 7 during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit. SANA said the Framework Declaration for Comprehensive Cooperation included security and defense. On Sept. 23, Syrian Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra met a delegation from France’s Directorate General of Armament to discuss defense cooperation, SANA reported.
Anadolu Agency reported that French Embassy chargé d’affaires Jean-Baptiste Faivre said on X that the visit reflected France’s support for Syria’s stability and sovereignty. Faivre described the talks as laying groundwork for maritime cooperation, Anadolu reported.
