EU, Syria to Begin First High-Level Political Dialogue in Brussels

The Council of the European Union announced that the first high-level political dialogue between the EU and Syria will take place in Brussels on May 11, co-chaired by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani. The talks are presented by Brussels as an opportunity to assess areas for cooperation and to advance normalization, including EU support for Syria’s transitional authorities to restore stability, promote social and economic recovery, and push for an inclusive political transition. The announcement follows European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s earlier proposal to fully resume the long-standing EU–Syria Cooperation Agreement as part of a new framework for engagement, and comes amid preparatory exchanges such as a meeting between the EU ambassador to the United States and Syria’s chargé d’affaires in Washington.

Human Rights Watch has urged the EU to adopt a "more for more" approach ahead of the dialogue, pressing for clear conditionality linking deeper ties and assistance to measurable human-rights improvements. In a letter, the group demanded safeguards to prevent EU aid from being used to entrench discrimination, called for targeted sanctions and restrictions on trade linked to illegal settlements in the occupied Golan Heights, and asked member states to suspend military support that could facilitate rights violations. It also warned against cooperation that downplays Syria’s ongoing security and humanitarian challenges or encourages premature refugee returns. as reported by Enab Baladi