Europe to do 'everything it can' to support Syria, von der Leyen says

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pledged Friday that Europe would provide maximum support for Syria's recovery and reconstruction after meeting interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus.

"Europe will do everything it can to support Syria's recovery and reconstruction," von der Leyen wrote on X.

Von der Leyen became the first top EU official to visit Syria — together with European Council President Antonio Costa — since Bashar al-Assad's overthrow in December 2024.

A Syrian presidency statement said discussions covered cooperation on reconstruction, humanitarian issues and the refugee situation in Europe.

A joint EU-Jordan statement issued Thursday ahead of the Damascus visit said "we will continue working together in support of a peaceful and inclusive Syrian-led and Syrian-owned transition".

Syria is attempting to chart a new course following years of war that began with al-Assad's violent suppression of pro-democracy demonstrations in 2011.

Al-Sharaa, who is working to establish state control across the entire country, faces pressure to protect Syria's numerous minority groups, including the Kurds. The EU officials' visit occurred as days of fatal fighting between government troops and Kurdish forces had shaken Aleppo in northern Syria.

Multiple EU officials have visited Syria since al-Sharaa's forces deposed al-Assad in the surprise lightning offensive across the country more than a year ago.

Then-German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot travelled to Damascus in January, representing the 27-member bloc.

European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib visited on 17 January, becoming the first Commissioner to visit post-al-Assad Syria.

The EU fully lifted economic sanctions against Syria in May 2025 after initially suspending major sanctions in February. The sanctions had been imposed in 2011.

At the 9th Brussels Conference in March, the EU and its partners pledged €5.8 billion euros in aid for Syria and neighbouring countries. The bloc specifically committed nearly €2.5 billion for 2025 and 2026.

Von der Leyen and Costa are also visiting Lebanon on Friday as part of a regional tour.