Syria has called for greater European involvement in the country’s reconstruction, with the European Union pledging an additional €51 million through its foreign policy instruments.

Axar.az reports, citing foreign media, that Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani made the appeal during talks with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas in Damascus on September 29.

Speaking at a joint press conference, al-Shaibani said Syria wanted its partnership with the EU to go beyond funding recovery and develop into broader support for reconstruction.

Kallas said the EU was already providing €620 million for recovery, humanitarian needs and strengthening state institutions, while a further €51 million had been allocated, including for mine clearance.

“Aid alone cannot build Syria. Foreign and domestic investment needs trust, and trust needs security, clear rules, rule of law, functioning institutions,” Kallas said.

She added that the EU aimed to mobilize more investment and deepen its partnership with Syria, while stressing that this would depend on continued reforms in Damascus.

The EU is also discussing financing for Syrian projects through the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), while the European Investment Bank (EIB) is considering support for infrastructure projects.

Al-Shaibani said Syria and the EU aimed to prepare a joint scoping paper by the end of the first quarter of 2027 as a first step toward a new partnership agreement to replace their 1977 cooperation accord.

Al-Shaibani also said Syria was ready to cooperate with Europe on security, including strengthening the capabilities of the Syrian coast guard.

The EU’s foreign policy chief is currently visiting Syria.