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On 26 June 2025, The Institute hosted the event ‘A European Conversation on Syria’ in Brussels, together with the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation. Held under the Chatham House Rule at the Egmont Institute, this meeting brought together senior representatives from the European Union and from several European States to reflect on the current situation in Syria and explore how European actors can contribute to short and long-term stability and peace.

The discussion started with an assessment of the major challenges facing Syria six months into its political transition, including sectarian tensions; measures to aid economic recovery; the need to unify security forces; inclusivity in political processes; transitional justice, accountability, and reconciliation; and broader regional security dynamics. Europe’s engagement should be predicated on a partnership approach that respects Syria’s agency and in full awareness of the significant capacity constraints at national levels across multiple fronts.

Despite these challenges, this moment represents a key opportunity to articulate Europe’s long-term strategic interests, encompassing key areas such as security, migration, trade, and resource management. In particular, the following were identified as priority areas for Europe to provide added value in support of Syria’s stabilisation and political transition:

1. Institutional capacity building, which Europe can support by offering technical assistance and expertise to strengthen the capacities of staff within ministries and public institutions, so that they can deliver services and implement policies effectively.
2. Supporting political inclusivity and human rights including by enhancing support for civil society actors – both inside Syria and within the diaspora – to strengthen their role in the political transition.
3. Developing a trade and energy partnership, to reintegrate Syria into the global market and its economy. This can be achieved, in part, by reviving or reimagining a cooperation framework similar to the EU–Syria Cooperation Agreement signed in 1977. It could also involve expanding Syria’s sources of revenue and potentially integrating Syria into the European Energy market through the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI) project.
4. Support for economic recovery through different avenues, which could include facilitating platforms which coordinate diaspora-led investment in small businesses, offering EU export guarantees, and contributing to job creation, cash-for-work schemes, and microfinance initiatives.
5. Support stabilisation of Northeast Syria and Qamishli-Damascus Relations, by investing in infrastructure rehabilitation, particularly in the energy and water sectors. A visible and balanced European presence could also help mediate external pressures and support internal cooperation.
6. Addressing the camps and prisons housing ISIS-affiliated populations in Northeast Syria where Europe can play a vital role in responding to humanitarian imperatives and reducing future security risks. This includes supporting the repatriation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of third-country nationals by engaging both the countries whose nationals remain in the camps and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Europe can also coordinate a response to the issue of male detainees held in prisons in Northeast Syria on suspicion of ISIS affiliation, including several hundreds of European passport holders.