The European Council announced on Monday the full reinstatement of the cooperation agreement between the European Economic Community and the Syrian Arab Republic, officially ending the partial suspension that had been in place since 2011.
In a statement published on its official website, the council said the decision restores the full implementation of the cooperation agreement, marking what it described as a significant step toward strengthening bilateral relations between the European Union and Syria.
The partial suspension was originally imposed in 2011 and extended in 2012 in response to what the EU described at the time as serious human rights violations committed by the government of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
The suspended measures included trade-related provisions concerning Syrian exports such as oil and petroleum products, gold, precious metals, and diamonds.
According to the European Council, the circumstances that justified the suspension “no longer exist” following the fall of the Assad government in December 2024 and subsequent EU decisions in May 2025 to lift economic sanctions imposed on Syria, with the exception of restrictions linked to security concerns.
The council said the move is consistent with the European Union’s broader strategy of supporting a peaceful and inclusive transition in Syria while facilitating the country’s economic and social recovery after years of conflict.
European officials added that the decision sends a “clear political message” reflecting the EU’s commitment to re-engaging with Syria and supporting efforts aimed at rebuilding the country’s economy and institutions.
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