European Union restores cooperation agreement and pledges aid to Syria

The European Union has officially ended the partial suspension of its 1977 cooperation agreement with Syria, which had been in place since 2011 due to human rights concerns under the Assad regime. This decision follows the collapse of the Assad government in December 2024 and the subsequent lifting of most economic sanctions by the EU in May 2025. In Brussels, the Syria Partnership Coordination Forum, co-chaired by EU Commissioner Dubravka Suica and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, confirmed a €455 million aid package for Syrian reconstruction. Commissioner Suica specifically announced €14 million for the restoration of Al-Rastan Hospital in Homs as part of a broader €175 million socioeconomic recovery package. Furthermore, the EU plans to provide an additional €280 million for 2026 and 2027, with other reports noting total pledges potentially reaching €620 million for that period. The initiative aims to foster a peaceful political transition and improve stability, which EU officials believe is critical for the potential return of Syrian refugees. Bilateral trade, which dropped from over €7 billion in 2010 to under €370 million during the sanctions period, is expected to see renewed integration.