From Timur Azhari

RIYADH, May 18 (Reuters) - Syria will participate in a closed-door meeting with finance ministers and central bank governors of the Group of Seven in Paris on Monday, a source familiar with the matter said, in a sign of its strengthening position less than two years after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad.

The source added that Syrian Finance Minister Mohammed Yasser Barnieh is expected to attend the meeting, noting that discussions will focus on Syria's sustainable recovery and reintegration into the global financial system.

The two-day meeting of G7 finance ministers is dominated by global economic imbalances, trade tensions and the fallout from conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.

The Syrian economy continues to suffer from years of war and isolation. Despite the easing or lifting of most sanctions following Assad's ouster, recovery has been slow, with investors and banks remaining cautious due to compliance risks and the practical challenges of reintegrating Syria into the global financial system.

Syria and Ukraine are expected to participate in parts of the discussions, underscoring the G7's interest in the stability of countries considered pivotal to regional and global security.

The informed source said that Syria's participation comes within the framework of preparations for the G7 leaders' summit scheduled for June, and reflects a trend towards bringing President Ahmed al-Sharaa's administration closer to the major economies.

He added that Damascus’ participation in the G7 financial track represents a new step in its efforts to return to the international system, attract support for reconstruction efforts, and highlight itself as a pivotal country in the transformations that are reshaping the region.