The EU-Syria Association Agreement: An Overview

The EU-Syria Association Agreement is a treaty signed between the European Union (EU) and the Syrian Arab Republic in 1977. The agreement aims to establish a framework for political and economic cooperation between the two parties.

The agreement covers a wide range of areas, including the promotion of trade, investment, and scientific and technical cooperation. It also includes provisions on human rights and democratic principles.

The agreement`s ultimate objective is to create a Euro-Mediterranean free trade area, which would enable the EU and the countries of the Mediterranean region to benefit from increased trade and investment flows.

The EU-Syria Association Agreement has been in force since 1998, but its implementation has been suspended since 2011, following the outbreak of the Syrian civil war. The EU imposed sanctions on Syria in response to the government`s violent crackdown on peaceful protests, and the Association Agreement was put on hold as a result.

The Syrian conflict has had a devastating impact on the country`s economy, and the suspension of trade with the EU has been a significant factor in this. Syrian exports to the EU have fallen dramatically since the start of the conflict, and the EU`s imports from Syria have also declined sharply.

In recent years, there have been discussions about the possibility of reactivating the EU-Syria Association Agreement. The EU has expressed its willingness to engage in dialogue with the Syrian government on the resumption of cooperation, including the possible reactivation of the agreement.

However, there are significant obstacles to reviving the agreement. The EU has made it clear that any resumption of cooperation would depend on significant progress on the political front, including the establishment of a genuine and inclusive political transition in Syria.

The Syrian government, for its part, has been reluctant to engage in meaningful dialogue on political reform and has shown little willingness to make concessions that would pave the way for the resumption of cooperation with the EU.

In conclusion, the EU-Syria Association Agreement is an important treaty that has the potential to promote trade and investment between the EU and Syria. However, its implementation has been suspended due to the Syrian civil war, and its possible reactivation will depend on progress on the political front. The EU and the Syrian government must work together to find a solution that meets the needs of both parties and promotes stability and prosperity in the region.