The European Union is moving forward with plans to rebuild diplomatic relationships with Syria and enhance economic cooperation, according to internal documents obtained by Reuters. This represents a significant shift in policy after years of severed relations between the bloc and the Middle Eastern nation.
A background document from the EU’s diplomatic service, distributed to member nations this week, reveals the bloc will reactivate its 1978 cooperation agreement with Syria. Additionally, formal structured discussions called a High-Level Political Dialogue will commence with Syria’s interim government on May 11.
In a significant policy change, the European Union announced it will “reframe and adapt” its sanctions framework to maintain influence while engaging with Syrian leadership and targeting those who oppose the country’s political transition, the document states.
Syria is working toward greater international integration under interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led an Islamist rebel coalition that removed former leader Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, ending a catastrophic 14-year conflict. Most Western sanctions against the country were lifted at the end of last year.
The document details plans for increased economic cooperation, including establishing trade and investment frameworks, mobilizing private sector funding, and supporting business environment improvements through a new technical assistance center.
The EU also stated it would collaborate with Syrian authorities to facilitate the “safe, voluntary and dignified return” of refugees and displaced individuals.
More than 1 million Syrian refugees and asylum seekers currently reside in Europe, with approximately half living in Germany. Their potential return has dominated discussions between European governments and Damascus since Assad’s removal in late 2024.
The document reveals ambitions to incorporate Syria into regional connectivity initiatives, including the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor, establishing the nation as a central point for transportation, energy, and digital connections.
Syria is becoming an increasingly important transit location, especially during the energy crisis caused by the Strait of Hormuz closure during the Iran conflict. On Thursday, the first tanker carrying Iraqi oil transported overland departed from Syria’s Baniyas port.
Turkey, Syria, and Jordan have also reached an agreement to enhance their railway systems, creating a corridor connecting southern Europe to the Gulf region, Turkish transport minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu announced to Bloomberg on Wednesday.
Regarding security matters, the document indicated the EU could provide training for Syrian police forces and institutional development within the interior ministry, along with cooperation on counterterrorism efforts and combating drug trafficking and organized crime.
The document also emphasizes EU support for implementing a January agreement between Damascus and Kurdish-led authorities in northeastern Syria, which involves incorporating local institutions into the state structure and expanding rights for Syrian Kurds during the broader political transition.
As a significant step in executing that agreement, Syria named the commander of the prominent YPG Kurdish forces as deputy defense minister for eastern territories in March, where U.S. forces transferred their final military base to the Syrian army this week.
