EU restores cooperation agreement with Syria after decade-long suspension

The European Union has agreed to revive a cooperation agreement with Syria that had been partly suspended for over ten years, as part of moves to normalise relations with Damascus, DPA reports.

“The conditions that justified the suspension are no longer present,” EU countries said in a press release published on April 11, meaning that “quantitative restrictions on imports of certain Syrian products, including oil, petroleum products, gold, precious metals and diamonds” will be removed.

Under the 1978 agreement, trade barriers and tariffs on most industrial products from Syria are lifted. It was, however, partially suspended in 2011 over human rights violations under Syria's ousted president, Bashar al-Assad.

“The decision sends a clear political signal of the EU’s commitment to re-engage with Syria and support its economic recovery,” the press release said.

The European Union has been seeking to re-establish relations with Damascus after a rebel alliance led by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa's Islamic militant group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, overthrew al-Assad at the end of 2024.

The EU lifted its economic sanctions on Syria in 2025. Al-Sharaa is invited to meet with EU leaders in Cyprus on May 15.

In January, the commission announced plans to support Syria with around €620 million ($730 million) in the years 2026 and 2027.