The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, assured today that Europe will do “whatever it can” to aid in the reconstruction of Syria following her meeting with Syrian leader Ahmad al Saraa in Damascus.
Accompanied by European Council President Antonio Costa, von der Leyen is the highest-ranking EU official to visit Syria since Saraa took power in late 2024.
The discussions between the two leaders covered areas of bilateral collaboration, humanitarian matters, and asylum topics in Europe, according to the Syrian presidency.
Syria has been navigating a sensitive transition since a coalition of Islamist factions ousted Bashar al Assad a year ago, concluding nearly 14 years of civil conflict.
On May 20, the European Union rescinded all economic sanctions imposed on Syria during Assad’s rule.
Multiple European Commissioners have visited Damascus following Assad’s downfall, each revealing various aid initiatives for the war-torn nation.
In March 2025, the EU committed to offering 2.5 billion euros to Syria over two years.
The World Bank projects that Syria’s reconstruction could cost as much as 216 billion dollars.
The two European leaders are currently touring the region; they visited Jordan yesterday and are expected to arrive in Lebanon later today.
Following their meetings in Amman, the EU and Jordan released a joint statement, pledging to collaborate towards a “peaceful and inclusive transition” in Syria. (01/09/26)
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