EU sends “Clear Message” of support with major aid package to Syria

The European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, announced on Thursday a €175 million aid package for Syria, calling it a "clear message" of support from the European Union. 

The announcement was made during an interview with AFP in Damascus, marking a significant diplomatic engagement with the country.

Šuica stated that the aid, which was formally proposed to Syrian officials during talks held the day before, will focus on energy, education, healthcare, and agriculture — key sectors in the country’s fragile recovery.

Syria is currently undergoing a complex political transition following the overthrow of former President Bashar al-Assad by an Islamist coalition six months ago, ending nearly 14 years of civil war. The new authorities are working to assert control over the national territory while facing international pressure to protect minority communities.

In recent months, Syria has witnessed massacres targeting the Alawite community, with hundreds killed in March. Violence continues in some regions, particularly against Druze populations, raising concerns over stability and inclusivity.

As part of its shifting policy, the European Union lifted all economic sanctions on Syria on May 20, removing restrictive measures imposed under Assad’s regime. The aid package is seen as a strategic step in accompanying the country's reconstruction efforts.

Šuica also confirmed that Syrian Foreign Minister Assaad el-Chaibani is expected to attend a ministerial meeting of Mediterranean nations in Brussels on June 23, alongside representatives from a dozen countries.

The EU’s renewed engagement with Syria signals a new chapter in Euro-Mediterranean relations, as regional and global actors seek to stabilize and rebuild the war-torn country.