Source : WAM
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will begin a Middle East tour on Thursday, visiting Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon, highlighting the European Union’s increased involvement in regional stability and reconstruction efforts.
European Commission Chief Spokesperson Paula Pinho stated that von der Leyen is participating today in Paris in the “Coalition of the Willing” meeting, before heading to Nicosia on Wednesday, after which she will embark on her Middle East tour.
The visit to Syria is the most notable stop on the trip, marking von der Leyen’s first visit to Damascus since the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024. The visit follows the European Union’s decision to lift economic sanctions imposed during the Assad era in May.
Talks in Damascus are expected to center on the EU’s role in supporting Syria’s reconstruction, with European officials emphasizing the need to pair financial assistance with efforts to strengthen institutions.
