Kaja Kallas says EU is "already providing 620 million euros" to Syria

At a Damascus press conference Tuesday with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc hopes to expand cooperation with Syria and aid its rebuilding, while urging reforms in governance, security, the rule of law, women's participation, reconciliation and transitional justice. Kallas put the EU's current support at 620 million euros. After Bashar al-Assad was ousted in December 2024, the bloc lifted economic sanctions and in May restored a cooperation accord. Syria is trying to rebuild and attract investment after more than 13 years of conflict killed over 500,000 people and ruined infrastructure. Shaibani said the two sides discussed replacing a 1970s partnership deal, with steps continuing next year, and working together on cross-border crime, illegal migration, drugs, trafficking and coast guard capacity.