EU Deepens Engagement with Syria

The European Union plans to deepen its engagement with Syria by relaunching formal political contacts and fostering closer economic and security ties. This policy shift includes resuming a 1978 cooperation agreement, initiating a High-Level Political Dialogue, and adapting its sanctions regime to maintain leverage while engaging with Syria's leadership. Syria, under interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, is seeking broader international integration after the ousting of Bashar al-Assad and the lifting of most Western sanctions. Key initiatives include stepping up economic engagement, facilitating the return of Syrian refugees from countries like Germany, and integrating Syria into regional connectivity projects such as the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor. Syria is also emerging as a critical transit point for energy, especially after the Iran war. Security cooperation will involve supporting Syrian police and counterterrorism efforts, alongside implementing an agreement for the integration of Syrian Kurds, including the appointment of a People s Defense Units commander as a deputy defense minister.