📰 Activating the Syrian–European Partnership: How Might Syria Revive Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation?

As Syria deepens its engagement within its regional and Arab environment and regains a notable level of international participation across various institutions, organisations, and partnerships, Europe now re-emerges as a potential and active counterpart in this evolving context. What was long obstructed by past policies may be redefined by a emerging political direction—underpinned by Syria’s immutable geography—which asserts itself again with compelling force. This resurgence reflects the imperatives of the present stage and the mutual interests of all stakeholders. In the aftermath of war, Syria requires emerging, substantial, and expansive partnerships.

It needs backing across multiple sectors, especially in the economic sphere, amid a comprehensive reconstruction phase. Yet, this does not diminish the fact that others also have much to gain from Syria’s return to the global stage, both politically and economically. This is due not only to its role in regional balances but equally to its strategic geopolitical location and the opportunities it affords. Specialist energy platforms suggest that Saudi Arabia’s green hydrogen project may traverse Syrian territory en route to Europe, offering Damascus heightened geopolitical importance and the opportunity to earn transit revenues.

Moreover, against this backdrop, discussions surrounding a Syrian–European partnership within the Euro-Mediterranean framework are resurfacing. The goal is to redefine the relationship along lines of balanced cooperation and shared responsibility in key areas such as development, energy, climate, migration, and economic integration. This is particularly significant as Syria reorients itself towards establishing the foundations of stability—an enduring priority for the European Union, which views security and prosperity along the southern Mediterranean as essential to its own wellbeing. A Role in Regional Dialogue After a 14-year suspension of the partnership agreement through which the European Union once sought to enhance political and economic life in Syria, the country has re-entered the European arena.

This was formalised through the restoration of its full membership in the Union for the Mediterranean last July, followed by its participation in the Tenth Regional Forum held late last month. Furthermore, the EU officially welcomed Syria’s reinstatement, viewing it as a step towards renewing its role in regional dialogue and enhancing broad-based cooperation. Syria’s presence at the Forum—coinciding with the launch of the New Mediterranean Charter—formed part of a wider strategy to recalibrate relations with regional partners after years of diplomatic isolation. The Charter aims to establish a comprehensive cooperation framework that includes development, energy, climate, migration, and connectivity, thus redefining relations between EU…