EU Chief von der Leyen Says Europe Will Do ‘Everything It Can’ to Support Syria

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Friday said Europe would do everything possible to support Syria’s recovery and reconstruction, following talks with Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa in Damascus.

Von der Leyen, the most senior EU official to visit Syria since longtime ruler Bashar Assad was ousted in December 2024, is on a regional tour with European Council President Antonio Costa. Their visit comes against the backdrop of renewed violence, with days of deadly clashes between government forces and Kurdish fighters shaking the northern city of Aleppo.

“Europe will do everything it can to support Syria’s recovery and reconstruction,” von der Leyen said in a post on X.

According to a statement from the Syrian presidency, discussions focused on cooperation in reconstruction efforts, as well as humanitarian issues and the refugee situation in Europe.

On Thursday, a joint EU-Jordan statement issued ahead of the visit said both sides would continue working together “in support of a peaceful and inclusive Syrian-led and Syrian-owned transition.”

Syria is attempting to chart a new course after more than a decade of conflict triggered by a violent crackdown on pro-democracy protests in 2011. President Sharaa, who is seeking to extend state authority across the country, has faced growing pressure to safeguard Syria’s diverse minority communities, including the Kurds.

Several EU officials have travelled to Syria since Assad was toppled by Sharaa’s forces more than a year ago, and the European Union has since lifted economic sanctions imposed during Assad’s rule. In March, the EU pledged nearly €2.5 billion in aid for Syria for 2025 and 2026.

Von der Leyen and Costa were also scheduled to visit Lebanon later on Friday.