Submission statement: The European Commission has proposed fully resuming the EU–Syria Cooperation Agreement, signalling a further thaw in relations after years of isolation. The deal, partly suspended in 2011 over repression by Bashar al-Assad’s regime, had long governed trade and economic ties, including tariff-free access for most Syrian industrial exports to the EU. The move follows the lifting of EU economic sanctions in 2025 and a visit to Damascus by Commission president Ursula von der Leyen earlier this year. Brussels says the renewed partnership will support a Syria-led political transition, humanitarian aid and economic recovery. Around €620m in funding is planned for 2026-27. The proposal now awaits approval by EU member states ahead of a high-level political dialogue in May.
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