Signs of gradual economic openness between Damascus and the European Union, against the backdrop of the visit of Syrian President Ahmed Al -Shara, and his meeting with his counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Paris. This step comes as part of a series of diplomatic moves, including the resumption of relations with Germany, which reopened its embassy in Damascus.
In February 2025, the European Union decided to suspend a number of economic sanctions on Syria, especially the energy and transportation sectors, in addition to reducing restrictions on some financial institutions, and the decision included removing 5 banking bodies from the sanctions lists.
The French President expressed his country’s readiness to support a gradual lifting of European sanctions, provided that “Damascus continues in the path of reform” and has pledged to discuss the matter with the United States.
Opportunities for commercial openness
According to the data of the company “Square Patton Bugs”, the European Union was the largest commercial partner for Syria before 2011 (about 7.18 billion euros) and this value decreased to 396 million in 2023 due to the strict sanctions imposed during the war.
At the end of the visit of the Syrian President, Foreign Minister Asaad Al -Shaibani stated that it constitutes a “turning point” towards lifting sanctions, enhancing security and stability in the region, and creating a favorable environment for commercial investment.
The elements of economic return and their conditions
Economist Yahya Al -Sayed Omar – in an interview with Al -Jazeera Net – indicates the possibility of gradually reviving European -Syrian trade relations, especially the agricultural and industrial sectors, if the sanctions are reduced and the exchange is easier.
On the other hand, the researcher, Dr. Khaled Trkawi, a researcher at the Jusour Center for Studies, believes – in a statement to Al -Jazeera Net – that returning to previous exchange numbers is unrealistic in the short term, and this is due to two factors:
- First: Loss of the ability to export Syrian oil for technical and political reasons.
- Second: The weak purchasing power of the Syrian citizen, which makes European products far -reaching compared to Chinese imports.
A report published on Al -Jazeera Net also confirms that Syria maintains strong capabilities in the textile and agricultural industries, and may restore its position if the appropriate export standards are available.
Syria is a commercial outlet for Europeans
The geographical location of Syria is reinforced by the feasibility of this return, as it represents a strategic crossing that connects Europe with Asia and the Gulf states, which gives it high logistical flexibility.
According to the Al -Jazeera Net report, Syria may play a pivotal role in the land link through commercial passages, especially with the rehabilitation of infrastructure.
Mr. Omar believes that Syria is a natural gate between Europe and the Middle East. Transport and infrastructure networks, if rehabilitated, can allow European trade to Jordan, Iraq and the Arabian Gulf, through wild paths faster and less expensive than maritime transport.
This transformation, according to the economist, is a direct European interest, and Syria also gives a source of income through transit trade fees.
He believes that the European Union countries are looking from the strategic interests, and they realize that Syria has a vital position in the Middle East, and that ignoring it means an additional European loss, especially with the decline in European influence in Africa, and geopolitical losses in eastern Europe.
On the other hand, the specialized energy platform indicates that the Saudi green hydrogen project may pass through the Syrian territories on its way to Europe, which gives Damascus to double geopolitical importance and opportunities to reap transit fees.
Euro Media and Reconstruction Partnership
Observers believe that the reintegration of Syria within the framework of the Euro -Mediterranean partnership (known as the Barcelona Convention) may provide an opportunity to expand trade and attract investments, with the possibility of benefiting from reducing customs duties and obtaining technical and institutional support from the European capital, Brussels.
Dr. Trkawi highlights the importance of forming specialized follow -up committees to re -introduce the partnership file, stressing that Brussels has provided grants and training, as well as direct financial support if the agreement is activated again.
As for reconstruction, its cost is estimated at more than 300 billion dollars, which makes the project one of the largest investment opportunities in the region.
Mr. Omar confirms that Europe may engage in this file, through its companies or through direct financing, while Trkawi indicates that cooperation between the Syrian and European private sector may be the key to real economic recovery, given the job opportunities and movement of productive sectors.
Political and economic indicators intersect to indicate the possibility of a gradual return of Syria to the European economic scene, driven by diplomatic moves and recent European decisions by eliminating sanctions. With the availability of a strategic structure and a distinct geographical location, Syria seems eligible to play an important role as a commercial and investment corridor, provided that the path of reform and openness is preserved.
