The European Commission is considering appointing a special envoy to Syria, a move that could adjust the EU’s long-standing diplomatic stance on the country, according to an internal document reviewed by Politico. The potential appointment aligns with recent pushes by some EU member states, including Italy and Austria, to cautiously revisit diplomatic relations with Syria. Supporters argue that reengagement could facilitate the return of Syrian refugees, particularly as renewed Middle Eastern tensions prompt displaced populations to reconsider going back.
“We can confirm that the High Representative and Vice-President (HRVP), Josep Borrell, is currently considering the appointment of a special envoy for Syria,” confirmed Nabila Massrali, spokesperson for EU foreign affairs, declining to provide further details. This tentative shift reflects ongoing pressures within the EU, as governments such as in Italy urge “a review” of the European strategy to support “safe and sustainable” returns for Syrian refugees, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni recently told the Italian Senate.
The document suggests possible “technical discussions” with local Syrian actors under strict vetting, excluding any contact with Assad’s sanctioned officials. Although the EU holds no intention of full-scale normalisation with Syria, changing regional dynamics, particularly Israel’s recent escalations in Lebanon, have altered the conversation, Politico reported, quoting an EU diplomat who said, “The situation in the Middle East has completely changed the discussion.”
The EU, which severed official ties with Damascus in 2011 over Assad’s alleged atrocities during Syria’s civil war, remains divided. While nations like the Netherlands oppose Syria’s status as “safe” for refugee returns, others believe Europe’s current stance has yet to achieve desirable outcomes, as Austria’s foreign minister Alexander Schallenberg highlighted, calling for “an open-minded assessment” of EU-Syrian policy.
