Why the EU-Syria Reset Must Put Institutions First (iss.europa.eu)

• EU fully restores 1977 Cooperation Agreement with Syria.
• World Bank estimates reconstruction at $216 billion.
• EU launches €15 million Technical Assistance Hub for coordination.

"The EU fully restored the 1977 Cooperation Agreement with Syria on 11 May, signaling a shift from emergency response to structured engagement with post-Assad Syria. The same day, Brussels hosted the Syria Partnership Coordination Forum and the first EU-Syria High-Level Political Dialogue. While the EU cannot match Gulf states in financing, it can shape the institutional environment for reconstruction. A €15 million Technical Assistance Hub aims to coordinate donor efforts and Syrian requests. Reconstruction must be governed by transparent rules to prevent economic capture. The EU has a direct interest in stable institutions to reduce migration pressures and instability on its southern flank."