Brussels, Apr.20 (SANA) The European Commission announced on Monday that it has forwarded a proposal to the European Council to fully reactivate the EU-Syria Cooperation Agreement, which has been suspended since 2011.
In a statement published on its official website, the Commission said that relations between the European Union and Syria have entered a new chapter, noting that the proposal concerns the reactivation of the 1978 agreement, which had been suspended in 2011 due to human rights violations attributed to the deposed regime.
The statement stated that once the proposal is formally adopted by the European Council, Syrian authorities will be officially notified, in a step bearing important political significance ahead of the high-level political dialogue scheduled for May 11.
According to the Commission, cooperation between the EU and Syria is expected to address humanitarian needs and support ongoing efforts aimed at economic recovery.
The statement further noted that the agreement has served as a framework for cooperation since 1978, contributing to economic and social development in Syria, fostering trade relations, eliminating customs duties on most Syrian industrial exports to the EU, and restricting quantitative restrictions on both sides.
It added that this development follows the lifting of all economic sanctions imposed on Syria in May last year.
Earlier this year, Ursula von der Leyen President of the European Commission visited Damascus, where she outlined three key pillars for renewing bilateral relations: a new political partnership, a framework to enhance trade and economic cooperation, and a financial support package worth approximately €620 million for 2026–2027, covering humanitarian aid, early recovery, and bilateral assistance.
