• EU foreign ministers lifted the partial suspension of the cooperation agreement with Syria, restoring its application after nearly 15 years.
  • The suspension was imposed in 2011 due to human rights violations by Bashar al-Assad’s regime and included restrictions on imports of oil, gold, and diamonds.
  • After the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024 and the lifting of economic sanctions in May 2025, the conditions for suspension no longer exist.
  • Mediterranean Commissioner Dubravka Šuica stated that a new chapter in relations is opening, and the EU will support Syria’s socio-economic recovery with €455 million.
  • The first high-level political dialogue between the EU and Syria is taking place in Brussels.

Sources & Links