The European Union has formally opened a new chapter in its relations with Syria, signalling a shift from years of isolation toward cautious engagement

aimed at recovery, reconciliation and regional reintegration.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa travelled to Damascus on Tuesday, where they met Syrian President Ahmed al-Shaara to discuss the future of EU–Syria relations. The talks focused on a framework built around political transition, economic cooperation and substantial financial support.

According to EU officials, the renewed relationship rests on three core pillars. The first is a political partnership designed to support a peaceful and inclusive transition in Syria, promote national reconciliation and facilitate the country’s reintegration into the region. The second pillar centres on trade and economic cooperation, including Syria’s participation in initiatives under the Pact for the Mediterranean, with a view to stimulating growth, reconstruction and private investment. The third pillar is a financial support package worth approximately €620 million for 2026 and 2027, covering humanitarian assistance, early recovery efforts and bilateral cooperation.

Speaking in Damascus, President von der Leyen struck a hopeful but cautious tone. “Over one year ago, decades of fear, silence and state violence finally began to give way to hope, opportunity and the possibility of renewal,” she said. “We know that the path to reconciliation and recovery is challenging. Healing, rebuilding lives and restoring trust in institutions takes time. We are here today to work for Syria and for all Syrians, to support a peaceful, inclusive and safe future.”

EU leaders acknowledged the progress made by Syria’s interim authorities since the political transition, while stressing that significant challenges remain. Brussels underlined that lasting reconciliation and sustainable reconstruction will depend on effective reforms, particularly in governance, the rule of law and human rights—areas the EU says it will continue to support both politically and financially.

The EU also emphasised the importance of Syria’s involvement in regional initiatives, especially under the Pact for the Mediterranean, as a key step toward economic recovery and long-term integration into regional and global markets.

A turning point after years of conflict

The renewed engagement follows the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, an event that EU officials describe as a turning point for Syria and for international relations with Damascus. Since then, the EU has reiterated its commitment to stand alongside the Syrian people and to support a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned transition toward stability and peace.

European support to Syria has been extensive over the past decade. Since 2011, the EU and its member states have provided more than €38 billion in political, humanitarian and development assistance. In March 2025, Syria’s transitional authorities attended the Brussels Conference on Syria for the first time, where international pledges totalled €5.8 billion for Syria and neighbouring countries hosting refugees. The EU alone committed €2.5 billion for 2025 and 2026.

In another landmark step, the EU lifted all economic sanctions on Syria in 2025 and co-organised the Day of Dialogue in Damascus, bringing together more than 300 representatives from Syrian civil society. The event aimed to build trust, encourage open dialogue and lay the groundwork for an inclusive political future.

To date, the EU has mobilised more than €424 million specifically for Syria’s recovery, including a €175 million package to support economic revitalisation, institution-building, transitional justice and human rights.

Beyond Syria’s borders, the European Commission continues to fund assistance for Syrian refugees and host communities across the region, maintaining what it describes as a comprehensive approach to one of the world’s most protracted crises.

With its latest diplomatic engagement and financial commitments, the EU is positioning itself as a key partner in Syria’s fragile transition—balancing optimism for change with continued pressure for reform and accountability. Photo by anjči from London, UK, Wikimedia commons.