EU Strengthens Ties with Syria Through High-Level Meetings in Brussels
The European Union aims to support recovery and reconstruction efforts in Syria through two high-level meetings scheduled for Monday in Brussels.
The EU will hold two high-level meetings in Brussels on Monday with Syria’s transitional authorities aimed at strengthening ties and supporting recovery and reconstruction efforts in the country.
According to EU officials, these discussions mark a new phase in relations between Brussels and Damascus, focusing on the political transition, economic recovery, and long-term stability following the fall of President Bashar Assad’s regime in December 2024 after almost 14 years of civil war.
The EU views this as opening ‘a new chapter’ in its relationship with Syria through engagement with transitional authorities post-Assad's removal from power.
Syria is seen as ‘opening a path to reconciliation and recovery,’ with the EU prepared to support this process via a new framework of cooperation.
The first meeting on Monday is the Syria Partnership Coordination Forum, which will gather international stakeholders to coordinate aid, reconstruction, and development efforts.
This forum will be co-chaired by European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Suica and Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani, with senior representatives from EU member states, G7 countries, Arab nations, UN, and international financial institutions expected to attend.
Later in the day, EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas will co-chair the first EU-Syria High Level Political Dialogue with Al-Shaibani.
This meeting represents a strategic shift towards a longer-term partnership based on ‘stability, recovery, and prosperity,’ according to EU officials.
Commissioners Suica and the EU’s humanitarian chief, Hadja Lahbib, are expected participants in this dialogue.
These meetings follow a visit to Damascus in January by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, which reinforced Brussels’ support for Syria's political transition.
The EU views these talks as an opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to ‘an inclusive and peaceful transition’ reflecting the aspirations of all Syrians while supporting long-term regional stability.
According to EU officials, these discussions mark a new phase in relations between Brussels and Damascus, focusing on the political transition, economic recovery, and long-term stability following the fall of President Bashar Assad’s regime in December 2024 after almost 14 years of civil war.
The EU views this as opening ‘a new chapter’ in its relationship with Syria through engagement with transitional authorities post-Assad's removal from power.
Syria is seen as ‘opening a path to reconciliation and recovery,’ with the EU prepared to support this process via a new framework of cooperation.
The first meeting on Monday is the Syria Partnership Coordination Forum, which will gather international stakeholders to coordinate aid, reconstruction, and development efforts.
This forum will be co-chaired by European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Suica and Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani, with senior representatives from EU member states, G7 countries, Arab nations, UN, and international financial institutions expected to attend.
Later in the day, EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas will co-chair the first EU-Syria High Level Political Dialogue with Al-Shaibani.
This meeting represents a strategic shift towards a longer-term partnership based on ‘stability, recovery, and prosperity,’ according to EU officials.
Commissioners Suica and the EU’s humanitarian chief, Hadja Lahbib, are expected participants in this dialogue.
These meetings follow a visit to Damascus in January by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, which reinforced Brussels’ support for Syria's political transition.
The EU views these talks as an opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to ‘an inclusive and peaceful transition’ reflecting the aspirations of all Syrians while supporting long-term regional stability.
