Damascus, April 28 (SANA) Syria’s Foreign Ministry and the European Union delegation in Damascus held talks on development cooperation for 2026–2027, focusing on aligning international support with national recovery priorities.
The discussions took place during a workshop organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates’ International Cooperation Department, led by its director Qutaiba Kadish, and attended by EU Chargé d’Affaires Michael Ohnmacht, along with representatives from ministries and local authorities.
Participants reviewed ways to coordinate European assistance with Syria’s “Recovery Priorities Statement for International Cooperation,” a national framework aimed at directing resources toward strategic sectors and improving the effectiveness of development programs.
The meeting comes as the European Union signals continued engagement with Syria. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said last week, following a meeting of EU foreign ministers, that the bloc would maintain its support, noting that the European Commission has proposed fully resuming a partnership agreement with Syria dating back to 1978.
According to the Commission, the agreement, suspended in 2011, provides a framework for economic and social cooperation and aims to strengthen trade ties, including removing customs duties on most Syrian industrial exports to the EU and eliminating quantitative restrictions on both sides.
The Commission said it had submitted the proposal to the European Council, with further discussions on support for Syria expected next month.
R.A/ABD
