Brussels Forum Launches New Syria-EU Partnership with 355 Million Euro Financial Package

Forum Opens in Brussels

The EU-Syria Partnership Coordination Forum opened in Brussels, Belgium, representing the highest-level political dialogue between the two sides since the fall of the former regime approximately eighteen months ago. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani attended alongside European Union foreign ministers, as the meeting marked a significant political juncture opening the door to a new phase of cooperation.

Syria's Position on Partnership

In his address, al-Shaibani stated that Syria, having emerged from fourteen years of war and isolation, no longer asks the world to shape its future on its behalf. He emphasized that Damascus seeks to build genuine partnerships grounded in mutual interests, shared responsibility, and long-term stability.

He noted that Syria today differs fundamentally from what it was eighteen months ago, with the government actively working to stimulate the economy, encourage investment, and provide adequate housing, alongside strengthening national state institutions. Al-Shaibani stressed that Syria's stability contributes to the stability of the Mediterranean region and Europe, and cannot be achieved without recovery, institutional rebuilding, and the provision of services that allow Syrians to return to their towns and cities with dignity.

National Vision for Recovery

Qutaiba Qadish, Director of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, presented the Syrian government's recovery roadmap, built on a progression from damage assessment to operational restoration, then to service delivery, and ultimately to rebuilding public trust. He outlined four pillars of the national vision:

• Rebuilding infrastructure
• Delivering essential public services
• Achieving economic recovery
• Developing centralized systems and public administration

Qadish also noted that the widespread presence of landmines and war remnants left by the former regime continues to impede the implementation of development and recovery priorities.

The European Financial Package

EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, announced that the European Union is implementing a financial package of 175 million euros, in addition to a second tranche of 180 million euros during the current year, in support of the Syrian government's rebuilding and recovery efforts. She explained that this funding will help open the door to investment in both the public and private sectors, and encourage European banks to engage with the Syrian market.

Šuica added that the EU is working to facilitate the voluntary and safe return of Syrian refugees, and is preparing to host an investment conference later this year to support Syria and the refugee return process.

Toward a Sustainable Institutional Partnership

At a joint press conference with Šuica, al-Shaibani affirmed that Syria is entering a phase of establishing a sustainable institutional framework that moves beyond humanitarian aid and relief, toward building a bilateral partnership with the EU based on mutual benefit and long-term cooperation. He expressed Damascus's determination to leave the meeting with a solid foundation of understanding with European partners, stating that Syria approaches these discussions with the utmost seriousness.

Al-Shaibani underscored that Syria is not built on the concept of minorities and majorities, but on the principle of equal citizenship under the rule of law and the constitution, and that the government is working to rebuild the country across all sectors while facilitating the voluntary return of refugees.