The Belgian capital is set to host the first high-level political dialogue between the European Union and the Syrian government on May 11, only days after the European Commission proposed fully reinstating the cooperation agreement signed by both sides in 1978. The talks will be chaired by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani, in a meeting expected to outline the political framework governing relations in the coming period.
This dialogue constitutes the first official platform of its kind since the ouster of the Assad regime on December 8, 2024. It aims to advance steps toward normalization and assess EU support for stability, recovery, and political transition. Following her meeting on Wednesday with Syrian Chargé d’Affaires in Washington Mohammad Qanatri, the EU Ambassador to the United States, Jovita Neliupšienė, underscored the Union’s commitment to a stable, inclusive, and peaceful future for Syrians. A statement from the European Council described the Brussels meeting as an opportunity to make progress toward normalization and to evaluate various avenues of EU support for Syrian efforts in stability, economic recovery, and an inclusive political transition.
Resuming Relations and Redrafting the Sanctions Framework
On April 17, an internal document prepared by the EU’s diplomatic service and circulated to member states—obtained by Reuters—revealed a European inclination to open a new phase of engagement with Syria. The shift begins with launching a high-level political dialogue and resuming official contacts after years of stagnation. It also includes reactivating the 1978 Cooperation Agreement, signaling a broader policy turn toward openness. The move aligns with Damascus’s efforts to deepen its international reintegration following the lifting of most Western sanctions in late 2025.
According to the document, the EU intends to overhaul its sanctions system to preserve leverage while easing restrictions that impede economic recovery. The plan includes a wider economic cooperation track encompassing trade, investment, private-sector support, and improvements to the business environment. It also prioritizes facilitating the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of refugees, given the large Syrian populations hosted by EU member states. Another component seeks to integrate Syria into regional connectivity projects in transport and energy, positioning the country within emerging economic corridors linking Europe, the Middle East, and Asia—an increasingly strategic priority amid global energy disruptions.
The document further outlines plans for security cooperation, including police training, capacity-building for the Ministry of Interior, and joint efforts to combat terrorism and organized crime. It also supports integrating institutions in Northeast Syria into the state as part of a broader political transition.
Normalization Contingent on Justice and Independent Judicial Mechanisms
In parallel, Human Rights Watch urged the European Union to use the dialogue as a genuine pressure tool on Syrian authorities, warning that reform commitments risk losing momentum amid a volatile regional environment and growing concerns about renewed violations. In a letter to the High Representative, the organization stressed that any move toward normalization or full cooperation must be tied to concrete progress on justice and accountability. It advocated a “more for more” approach, in which expanded engagement is conditioned on measurable actions on the ground.
HRW called for establishing independent and credible judicial mechanisms capable of holding perpetrators of serious crimes from all sides accountable. This includes expanding the mandate of the Transitional Justice Commission to cover all violations without exception and ensuring Damascus’s cooperation with international investigative bodies such as the IIIM and the UN Commission of Inquiry. The organization also urged Syria to join the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, undertake comprehensive judicial reform to incorporate international crimes into domestic law, and strengthen the principle of command responsibility to enable prosecution of senior officials. Effective witness protection and meaningful victim participation were highlighted as essential components.
On the security front, HRW emphasized the need for independent investigations into violations committed in several areas during 2025 and for holding those responsible—including military leadership—accountable. It called for structural reforms that ensure civilian oversight of security services and the removal of individuals implicated in abuses. Regarding public freedoms, the organization demanded lifting restrictions on civil society, guaranteeing a safe environment for independent organizations, protecting freedoms of expression, assembly, and movement, and ending arbitrary arrests.
On reconstruction, HRW stressed that any European assistance must be accompanied by strict monitoring to prevent discriminatory or politically motivated allocation. It warned against pressuring refugees to return before conditions are safe, dignified, and sustainable. At the regional level, the organization urged the EU to adopt a firmer stance against Israeli attacks on Syria, including imposing sanctions on activities linked to settlements.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.