The chief of the EU executive pledged Europe's full support for Syria's recovery after meeting interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus on Friday,
Euronews reports.
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.
