Brussels, Belgium. The European Union plans to deepen engagement with Syria by relaunching formal political contacts and preparing for closer economic and security ties, according to a document seen by Reuters. The move reflects a broader policy shift after years of frozen relations.
Political contacts and cooperation framework
The background paper, produced by the EU’s diplomatic arm and circulated to member countries this week, says the EU will fully resume its 1978 cooperation agreement with Syria. It also says the EU will begin a High-Level Political Dialogue with Syria’s transitional authorities on May 11.
Sanctions approach
The paper says the EU would “reframe and adapt” its sanctions regime to maintain leverage while engaging with Syria’s leadership and targeting spoilers of the transition.
Syria’s international positioning
Syria, which had most Western sanctions lifted at the end of last year, is seeking broader integration into the international community under interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The paper notes al-Sharaa headed an alliance of Islamist rebel factions that ousted former leader Bashar al-Assad at the end of 2024 after a 14-year war.
Economic engagement and reform support
The paper outlines plans to step up economic engagement, including a framework for trade and investment, mobilising private sector funding and supporting reforms to improve Syria’s business environment through a new technical assistance hub.
Refugee and displaced persons returns
The paper says the EU would work with authorities on facilitating the “safe, voluntary and dignified return” of refugees and displaced people. Europe hosts over 1 million Syrian refugees and asylum seekers, roughly half of whom are in Germany, and their return has been a central topic in discussions between European capitals and Damascus since Assad’s ouster in late 2024.
Regional connectivity and transit role
The paper highlights ambitions to integrate Syria into regional connectivity projects, including the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor, positioning the country as a hub for transport, energy and digital links.
It says Syria is emerging as a critical transit point amid the energy crisis triggered by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz during the Iran war. A first tanker carrying Iraqi oil transported overland sailed from the Syrian port of Baniyas on Thursday.
Turkey, Syria and Jordan have agreed to upgrade their railway networks to create a corridor linking southern Europe to the Gulf, Turkish transport minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu told Bloomberg on Wednesday.
What impact do you think renewed EU engagement with Syria could have on refugee returns in Europe?
