Source: European Parliament
During her meeting with Syria’s transitional President al-Sharaa in New York, together with the President of the European Council, the President of the Commission reiterated the EU’s support for a peaceful, inclusive, Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition.
Both presidents expressed concern over the recent violent events in Syria, condemned the widespread violence and horrific crimes against civilians and conveyed a clear message: the transitional authorities have the responsibility to ensure that the transition is genuinely inclusive, protects all Syrians from all ethnic and religious backgrounds without discrimination and ensures that all are involved in the building of the new Syria.
The EU has repeatedly condemned the widespread sectarian violence in several regions over the last months[1][2][3]. The EU will also continue to support efforts to hold all perpetrators, regardless of their affiliation, accountable in line with international standards.
The EU introduced new listings under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime[4], targeting individuals and entities in Syria responsible for serious human rights abuses.
The EU will continue to sanction individuals who commit human rights violations and jeopardise the peaceful transition and follow closely developments on the ground and the actions of the transitional authorities .
The meeting was also a chance to reiterate the EU’s commitment to help meet the immediate humanitarian needs and to support the socioeconomic recovery and reconstruction of Syria.
In June 2025, EU announced a EUR 175 million package to support recovery in Syria[5]. EU support will be commensurate with developments in the country and will need to be accompanied by profound reforms.
The EU will continue to be a leading humanitarian partner for the Syrian people, building on the EUR 37 billion in humanitarian, development, economic and stabilisation assistance granted over the last fourteen years.
- [1] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/03/11/syria-statement-by-the-high-representative-on-behalf-of-the-european-union-on-the-recent-wave-of-violence/.
- [2] https://www.eeas.europa.eu/node/453989_fr.
- [3] Syria: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the situation, 24 July 2025. https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/07/24/syria-statement-by-the-high-representative-on-behalf-of-the-european-union-on-the-situation/.
- [4] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/05/28/syria-eu-adopts-legal-acts-to-lift-economic-sanctions-on-syria-enacting-recent-political-agreement/.
- [5] https://north-africa-middle-east-gulf.ec.europa.eu/news/eu-announces-eu175-million-support-recovery-syria-2025-06-04_en.