EU agrees to restore full trade ties with Syria
Summary
The European Union has ended a partial suspension of its trade agreement with Syria, allowing fuller trade relations to resume after nearly 14 years of conflict in Syria. This step aims to support Syria’s economic recovery and improve political relations between the EU and the country following the change in Syrian leadership in 2024.Key Facts
- The EU ended the partial suspension of its cooperation agreement with Syria, restoring more complete trade ties.
- The agreement removes duties (taxes) on most industrial goods imported from Syria.
- The suspension started in 2011 due to the Syrian government's crackdown on protests.
- Syria’s trade with the EU was over 7 billion euros in 2010 but dropped sharply by 2023.
- The EU and Syria began political talks 18 months after President Bashar al-Assad was removed from power in December 2024.
- The European Commission pledged support for Syria’s economic recovery after meeting the interim Syrian president.
- Germany, which hosts over a million Syrian refugees, supports stricter migration rules and wants many refugees to return to Syria within three years.
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany referenced a refugee return target during a visit by Syria’s president but later clarified the figure was proposed by a Syrian official.
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