ISTANBUL  The EU would pursue to gradually lift sanctions on Syria, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday during a joint news conference with his Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa, who traveled to Paris on his first visit to a European country since taking office. “I told the president that if he continues on his path, we will continue on ours: first, by gradually lifting European economic sanctions,” Macron said. He said they would further initiate a “process of persuasion” with