EU chief pledges $930m in support for Syria during Damascus visit
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(From left) Syria's interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa welcoming European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and EU Council president Antonio Costa to Damascus on Jan 9.
PHOTO: X/@VONDERLEYEN
- EU will grant Syria about €620 million for post-war recovery, bilateral support, and humanitarian aid over the next two years.
- The EU wants to discuss reviving a cooperation accord with Syria and launch a new political partnership, including high-level talks in 2026.
- Ursula von der Leyen called escalating violence in Aleppo "worrisome" and urged dialogue after the EU lifted sanctions following Assad's removal.
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BRUSSELS – The European Union will grant Syria about €620 million (S$930 million) in 2026 and 2027 for post-war recovery, bilateral support and humanitarian aid, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Jan 9.
“After years of devastation under the Assad regime, Syria’s recovery and reconstruction needs are immense, and I just could see (it) by my own eyes,” she said during a visit to the Syrian capital Damascus.
Dr Von der Leyen said the EU wants to begin talks on reviving a cooperation accord with Syria and that it will launch a new political partnership with the country, including high-level talks, in the first half of 2026.
In 2025, the EU lifted economic sanctions on Syria toppled long-time autocratic president Bashar al-Assad
Dr Von der Leyen said the recent escalating violence in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo
