Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa met British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Downing Street on March 31 morning during his first official visit to London since he assumed power.
The meeting underscores a dramatic change in U.K.-Syria relations following the fall of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
The two discussed restoring full diplomatic ties, migration and enhancing economic cooperation, with Damascus positioning itself as a potential energy gateway to European markets.
On March 31 evening, Sharaa is scheduled to speak at the Chatham House think tank.
The trip is expected to pave the way for reopening Syria’s embassy in London and the British embassy in Damascus. The U.K. government is also likely to unveil a new export finance initiative for British firms interested in operating in Syria.
Damascus recently approved legislation allowing foreign companies to hold full ownership of investment projects.
As for the United Kingdom, Sharaa's visit comes after London announced in July 2025 the resumption of diplomatic relations with Syria following a visit by Foreign Secretary David Lammy to Damascus, the first visit by a British minister in 14 years.
The British government said at the time that its engagement with Damascus was aimed at supporting the political transition, assisting economic recovery, countering the Islamic State group, reducing illegal migration, and addressing the issue of chemical weapons.
Last week, Syria Investment Authority Director Talal al-Hilali traveled to London to hold talks with representatives of construction firms and financial institutions.
Sharaa visited Germany on March 30, where he met Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said he anticipates up to 800,000 Syrians in Germany will depart before 2030.
Sharaa had visited France in May 2025 on his first European trip since assuming power, where he was received by President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.
