EU steps up support for Syria with aid package By late 2024

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said that the EU will provide Syria with 160 million euros ($167 million) in aid by the end of the year.

Von der Leyen made this announcement following a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media. 

"The EU will fulfill its commitments to support Syria. Our aid to Syria this year will reach 160 million euros," she said.

Von der Leyen also confirmed the restoration of diplomatic contacts between Damascus and Brussels.

On December 16, EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas instructed European diplomats to visit Damascus to establish relations with the new authorities. On November 28, the information went viral that armed groups from the Syrian opposition had launched a major offensive against government forces in the western regions of Aleppo province. After capturing Aleppo, they proceeded to take control of Homs and Hama within the next ten days and advanced toward Damascus, the Syrian capital.

Meanwhile, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) took control of Deir ez-Zor city. On the night of December 8, opposition groups seized Damascus, the capital of Syria. The Syrian army command declared that President Bashar al-Assad's rule had come to an end. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that Assad had decided to step down from the presidency and leave Syria, giving instructions for a peaceful transfer of power. Earlier, President Erdogan emphasised the necessity of the EU’s involvement in the resolution of the Syrian conflict.

By Naila Huseynova