EU Advances Plan to Fully Reinstate Syria Cooperation Agreement
In a statement, the Commission said the updated framework is designed to promote a “peaceful and inclusive, Syria-led transition,” while also addressing urgent humanitarian needs and supporting the country’s economic recovery.
The initiative builds on a January announcement by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who outlined a renewed strategy for engagement with Syria.
Originally established in 1978, the EU–Syria Cooperation Agreement was partially suspended in 2011 after the bloc cited what it described as systematic repression and serious human rights violations by the Assad government.
The agreement provides the basis for economic and social cooperation, including provisions that eliminate customs duties on most Syrian industrial exports to the EU and prohibit quantitative trade restrictions between both sides.
The latest proposal follows the EU’s May 2025 decision to lift economic sanctions on Syria, as well as von der Leyen’s visit to Damascus earlier this year in January.
During that trip, she presented a three-part framework for renewed relations: a political partnership structure, expanded trade and economic cooperation, and a financial assistance package worth about €620 million ($729 million) for 2026–2027.
That funding is intended to support humanitarian relief, early recovery projects, and broader bilateral cooperation programs.
The proposal will now require approval from the EU Council before being formally communicated to Syria’s transitional authorities.
The development comes ahead of the EU–Syria High-Level Political Dialogue scheduled for May 11.
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