Politics Von der Leyen announces new aid package for Syria
Syria, ravaged by years of civil war, can hope for additional financial aid from the EU. During a visit to Damascus, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that around 620 million euros would be made available for 2026 and 2027. The package is necessary to support the government in restoring basic services for the population and rebuilding state institutions.
09.01.2026, 17:44
SDA
The EU also hopes that once the country has stabilized, hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees in the EU will one day be able to return home. They want Syrian refugees to have real prospects of returning home and making a new start, said von der Leyen. For many years, Syrians had made up a large proportion of the refugees arriving in the EU. Germany is also currently discussing when they can be sent back.
Costa: New era of hope for Syria
Following the fall of long-term ruler Bashar al-Assad at the end of 2024, the EU completely lifted its economic sanctions against Syria last year. Now, step by step, political cooperation is to be expanded again.
EU Council President António Costa, who traveled to Damascus together with von der Leyen, said at a meeting with Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa that after many years of war and suffering, the fall of the Assad regime had opened up a new era of hope for Syria. The country can count on the European Union to support its efforts towards a peaceful and inclusive Syria.
According to the EU Commission, a new political partnership is also to be established for this purpose, which could be launched in the first half of the year with a meeting of high-ranking representatives from both sides. The revival of an economic cooperation agreement is also being considered.
