Leyen confirmed EU aid to Syria worth hundreds of millions of euros

The European Union will provide Syria with approximately €620 million this year and next for post-war reconstruction, bilateral support, and humanitarian aid. This was confirmed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

"After years of devastation under the Assad regime, Syria's needs in terms of recovery and reconstruction are enormous, and I have seen this with my own eyes," she said during her visit to the Syrian capital Damascus.

Von der Leyen announced that the EU wants to start negotiations on renewing the cooperation agreement with Syria and that it will begin a new political partnership with the country, including high-level negotiations in the first half of 2026.

Last year, the EU lifted economic sanctions against Syria after rebels overthrew longtime autocratic President Bashar al-Assad following more than a decade of civil war.

The European Commissioner said that the recent escalation of violence in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo between government forces and Kurdish fighters this week is "disturbing" and that continued dialogue between all parties is "urgently needed."

(reuters, max)