The European Council announced on Monday that it had adopted a decision ending the partial suspension of the Cooperation Agreement between the European Economic Community and Syria, thereby fully restoring trade relations with Syria.
The Council added that the decision represents an important step toward strengthening bilateral relations between the European Union and Syria, Reuters reported.
In a statement, the European Council said the decision sends a clear political signal of the European Union’s commitment to re-engaging with Syria and supporting its economic recovery.
EU foreign ministers are set to meet with their Syrian counterpart, Asaad al-Shaibani, to launch a high-level “political dialogue,” a year and a half after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, reported AFP
A Brussels official explained that the EU aims to support Syria’s reconstruction process, despite what he described as a situation on the ground that remains “devastating” after fifteen years of civil war.
The official noted that around 13 million Syrians — nearly half the population — are in need of food assistance. In January, the EU pledged €620 million in financial aid for the 2026–2027 period.
Earlier this January, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, following her meeting in Damascus with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, pledged that Europe would do “everything in its power” to help rebuild Syria.