Syria, EU discuss cooperation and refugee return in Damascus meeting

2026-02-26 - 23:12

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani met Thursday with an EU diplomatic delegation in Damascus to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation and facilitating the return of Syrian refugees, the foreign ministry announced. The delegation, headed by European External Action Service Director for the Middle East and North Africa Rosamaria Gili, explored avenues for reengagement with Syria's new transitional administration. Diplomatic Upgrade and Agreement Reactivation According to the Syrian statement, the European side indicated that the level of diplomatic representation of its mission in Damascus could be upgraded "soon." The EU delegation also suggested that previous agreements could be reactivated "within the framework of gradual openness and Syria's return to the international community," affirming continued support for the Syrian government's efforts despite challenges and the legacy of the previous regime. Refugee Return Mechanism Both sides stressed that refugee returns should be "safe, orderly and sustainable," proposing the formation of a joint committee to follow up on the issue and ensure a dignified return process. The discussion aligns with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa's January 2025 prediction that the majority of Syrians abroad would return within two years. The refugee issue carries significant humanitarian and political weight, with millions of Syrians displaced since the civil war began. Reconstruction and Transitional Justice The talks reviewed progress over the past year toward unifying Syrian territory, integration processes, activating transitional justice mechanisms, and asset recovery. The two sides discussed ways to support reconstruction efforts and open the door for European institutions and banks to contribute. The meeting represents the most significant engagement between Damascus and Brussels since the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in late 2024 and the formation of Sharaa's transitional administration in January 2025, signaling potential European willingness to support Syria's post-war recovery.