Brussels eyes partnership with Baku for post-war Syria recovery

The European Union has expressed interest in engaging Azerbaijan in political dialogue concerning the reconstruction of Syria, as well as other key international issues.

The announcement highlights the EU’s ongoing commitment to post-conflict recovery in Syria, where it remains the largest international donor of humanitarian assistance, Caliber.Az reports citing local media.

The bloc has notably ramped up its support for Syria following the decline of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, underscoring its role as a principal actor in the country’s stabilization and long-term recovery.

“In February, the EU eased sanctions on key sectors of the Syrian economy to accelerate reconstruction efforts,” the statement by the organization read, referencing recent policy shifts aimed at facilitating the country’s economic revival.

Further solidifying its commitment, the EU convened a donor conference in March which successfully raised approximately €5.8 billion to fund long-term development initiatives in Syria. These funds are intended to address critical infrastructure needs, support displaced populations, and foster socio-economic recovery across war-torn regions.

Furthermore, the European Union has decided to indefinitely extend the humanitarian exemption within its sanctions framework, ensuring the uninterrupted flow of aid and support to Syria's most vulnerable populations.

In an official statement, the Council emphasized that while certain restrictive measures remain in place—including sanctions targeting individuals and entities linked to the Al-Assad regime, the chemical weapons sector, and the illicit drug trade—it continues to uphold a range of sectoral sanctions. These include controls on arms transfers, dual-use technologies, surveillance software, equipment for internal repression, and the trade of Syrian cultural heritage goods.

The EU also signaled its willingness to reassess and potentially suspend additional economic sanctions as circumstances evolve, underscoring its commitment to a flexible and responsive approach to the changing dynamics on the ground.

The Council reaffirmed its view that the collapse of the Assad regime marks a pivotal turning point for Syria.

Bashar al-Assad, who had ruled Syria for nearly a quarter of a century, fled to Russia on December 8, effectively bringing an end to the Baath Party’s decades-long rule, which began in 1963.

His successor, President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, assumed office on January 29 and subsequently appointed Mohammed Al-Bashir to lead the formation of a transitional government tasked with guiding Syria through its post-conflict transformation.

By Vafa Guliyeva