Damascus Meeting
Syria's finance minister, Muhammad Yasir Barniya, met the acting French chargé d'affaires in Damascus, Jean-Baptiste Faivre, at the finance ministry on Monday, 27 April 2026, to discuss expanding economic and financial cooperation between Syria and European and international institutions. The two sides reviewed financing needs for development projects across the country, the role of French and European bodies, ongoing cooperation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, and the position of European Union member states on supporting Syria's recovery.
Central Bank Account in France
A day earlier, on Sunday, 26 April 2026, the governor of the Central Bank of Syria, Abdul-Qader al-Hasriyya, also met Faivre to discuss strengthening financial and banking cooperation between the two countries, including the question of reopening the central bank's account in France. The officials described the move as significant for facilitating financial operations and reinforcing banking communication channels between Syrian institutions and their European counterparts.
IMF, World Bank and the EU
The minister and the French envoy reviewed outcomes from the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings held in Washington, alongside the stance of European Union member states on backing Syria's recovery effort. Barniya said the government has plans to manage external public debt and convert obligations into investment in domestic development projects, framing the approach as part of a broader push for gradual economic recovery.
Transparency and Budget
Barniya pointed to the recent publication of a citizen version of the 2026 budget, intended to set out the details of public spending and the government's programs and initiatives for a general audience. He said the step is part of a wider effort to promote financial transparency and to ensure strong governance over the implementation of funded projects.
Northeast, South and Energy
The minister highlighted sustainable development priorities in the Syrian Jazira region and the southern provinces, and underscored the importance of the Syria Without Camps initiative, which covers several governorates. The chief executive of the Syrian Petroleum Company, Youssef Qablawi, also took part in discussions on potential French and European participation in Syria's oil and gas projects.