The European Union intends to strengthen its relations with Syria by resuming formal political contacts and paving the way for economic and security ties, according to a document reviewed by Reuters.
The document, prepared by the EU’s diplomatic service and circulated to member states this week, indicates that the bloc will fully resume the 1978 cooperation agreement with Syria and begin a high level political dialogue with the Syrian transitional authorities on May 11.
In a notable policy shift, the European Union also announced that it will redesign and adapt its sanctions regime to preserve its leverage, while continuing engagement with the Syrian leadership and targeting parties that obstruct the transition process, according to the document.
According to the document, published by Reuters on Friday, April 17, the European Union also announced that it will redesign and adapt its sanctions regime to preserve its leverage, while continuing engagement with the Syrian leadership and targeting parties that obstruct the transition process.
Boosting Economic Engagement
The paper sets out plans to strengthen economic engagement, including a framework for trade and investment, mobilizing private sector financing, and supporting reforms to improve Syria’s business environment through a new technical assistance center.
According to the document, the European Union will work with the Syrian authorities to facilitate the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of refugees and displaced people.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa visited Germany on March 30 and discussed with the German government ways to develop mutual economic relations, especially in reconstruction, and also discussed the return of Syrians from Germany.
The paper highlights ambitions to integrate Syria into regional connectivity projects, including the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, making the country a hub for transport, energy, and digital links.
Syria is emerging as a vital transit point, especially amid the energy crisis worsened by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz during the recent regional war. The first Iraqi oil tanker carrying cargo transported overland sailed from Syria’s Baniyas port on April 16.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said Syria represents a safe corridor and an alternative route for energy supplies and supply chains, especially the links being developed between the Arab Gulf and Turkey, through Syria and Jordan at the same time.
In remarks to Turkey’s Anadolu Agency on April 16, he said Syria’s access to the Mediterranean through this route provides a secure and effective link for supply chains between East and West, as well as for energy supplies.
Turkey, Syria, and Jordan have also agreed to modernize their railway networks to create a corridor linking southern Europe to the Gulf, Turkish Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu told Bloomberg.
He explained that Turkey, Syria, and Jordan had also agreed to modernize their railway networks to create a corridor linking southern Europe to the Gulf.
Training Police and Supporting Integration
On the security front, the European document said the EU could support the training of Syrian police and institutional capacity building in the Interior Ministry, alongside cooperation on counterterrorism and efforts to combat drug smuggling and organized crime.
The document also provides for EU support for implementing the agreement reached in January between Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces, SDF, in northeastern Syria, which includes integrating local institutions into the state and expanding the rights of Syrian Kurds as part of a broader political transition.
Ahmed al-Hilali, spokesperson for the presidential team tasked with implementing the January agreement with the SDF, said an extended meeting was held in Aleppo province, northern Syria, with the participation of Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, Aleppo Governor Azzam al-Gharib, the province’s internal security commander Colonel Mohammad Abdul Ghani, and presidential envoy Brigadier General Ziad al-Ayesh, to discuss what he described as “essential” files.
Al-Hilali added in press statements on April 15 that the meeting addressed “a number of files in depth,” foremost among them the return of displaced people and refugees, alongside discussions on the course of integrating the SDF and the mechanisms for implementing it.
He said the issue of returning displaced people and refugees was raised as a “humanitarian priority,” with practical steps discussed for bringing them back, alongside discussion of mechanisms for integrating the SDF in a way that would ensure “the restoration of stability and the strengthening of state institutions.”
European Support for Syria
The European Union had previously announced the allocation of financial support for Syria worth around 620 million euros for 2026 and 2027, including humanitarian aid, early recovery support, and bilateral assistance.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa visited Damascus on January 9 and met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to discuss renewing bilateral relations with Syria.
According to a statement published by the European Union, the discussions focused on three areas:
A new political partnership that supports a peaceful and inclusive transition and reconciliation inside Syria, and Syria’s reintegration into the region.
Strengthening trade and economic cooperation, including through Syria’s participation in Mediterranean Pact initiatives, backed by a large financial package for 2026 and 2027 to enable social and economic recovery, reconstruction, and facilitate private investment.
A financial support package worth approximately 620 million euros, covering humanitarian aid, early recovery support, and bilateral assistance.
Improving Bilateral Relations
The fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024 opened new horizons for Syria and launched a different path in its regional and international relations, including the return of communication and bilateral relations with the European Union.
In this context, the European Union renewed its commitment to stand by the Syrian people and support a peaceful and inclusive transition, led and owned by Syrians, that contributes to building a better future for all Syrians, according to the statement.
Since the outbreak of the war in Syria in 2011, the European Union has maintained a supportive role by providing political and financial assistance worth more than 38 billion euros. Syria’s transitional authority also took part for the first time in the ninth Brussels Conference last March, which resulted in financial pledges worth 5.8 billion euros for Syria and neighboring countries. As part of those pledges, the European Union committed 2.5 billion euros for 2025 and 2026.
The European Union also announced the lifting of all economic sanctions imposed on Syria, in a step considered pivotal in the path of openness and gradual normalization.
The European Union joined Syrian authorities in organizing “Dialogue Day” in Damascus, which brought together more than 300 representatives of Syrian civil society and, according to its organizers, helped strengthen trust, broaden the scope of dialogue, and lay the foundations for an inclusive future based on participation and openness.
On the financial front, the European Union allocated more than 424 million euros to support Syria, including a package worth 175 million euros directed toward supporting social and economic recovery, institution building, and strengthening transitional justice, accountability, and human rights pathways.
Alongside meeting needs inside Syria, the European Commission continues to support Syrian refugees and the host communities in neighboring countries, as part of its ongoing commitment to easing humanitarian burdens and improving living conditions for those most affected by years of conflict.
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