By Melike Pala
BRUSSELS (AA) - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Friday pledged Europe's full support for Syria's recovery and reconstruction, as she met Syrian leadership on her visit to Damascus.
"After decades of fear and silence, Syrians began a long journey toward hope and renewal. Europe will do everything it can to support Syria’s recovery and reconstruction," von der Leyen wrote on US social media platform X.
EU Council President Antonio Costa, who accompanied von der Leyen, met Syrian officials including President Ahmad al-Sharaa, saying the EU's visit demonstrated "continued support for the Syrian people."
"After many years of war and suffering, the fall of the Assad regime finally offered some hope to the Syrian people ... There is still a long way ahead but you have already taken the first steps," he said on social media.
The visit follows growing EU engagement with Syria's new leadership. In June 2025, EU Mediterranean Commissioner Dubravka Suica visited Syria and said the bloc wanted to see the country become stable and prosperous under its new authorities.
In May, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also announced the lifting of economic sanctions imposed under the former regime.
Bashar al-Assad, Syria's leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia, ending the Baath Party regime, which had been in power since 1963. A new transitional administration headed by Sharaa was formed in January 2025.