Syria–European Union relations

Last updated
European Union–Syria relations
European Union Syria Locator.png
Flag of Europe.svg
European Union 		Syrian revolution flag.svg
Syria

The European Union (EU) and the Syrian Arab Republic have signed two agreements between each other. However, due to the Syrian government's crack down on its opposition, the EU is imposing an embargo on Syria. [1] Since 2011, the EU has supported the opposition Syrian National Council and calls for the present government to stand down. [2] Since 2012 it has recognised the opposition as legitimate representatives of the Syrian people. [3]

Contents

In early 2012, several EU member states, including France, the United Kingdom, Italy and the Netherlands, closed their embassies in Damascus. [4]

Agreements

In 1977 the EU and Syria signed a Cooperation Agreement which governs relations, which serves as the foundation for EU-relations. [5] 2004 and 2008 saw further bilateral agreements between the EU and Syria. [5] Syria also joined the EU's Union for the Mediterranean (and previously the Barcelona Process) and the European Neighbourhood Policy - but does not fully benefit pending the application of the EU-Syria Association Agreement which was signed in 2009, [6] and was suspended from the Union for the Mediterranean in 2011. [7] [8]

Since 2011

Following the Syrian civil uprising in spring 2011 and the resulting escalation of violence and human rights violations, the EU suspended bilateral cooperation with the Syrian government and froze the draft Association Agreement. Since then, the EU has also suspended the participation of Syrian authorities in its regional programmes. The European Investment Bank (EIB) has suspended all loan operations and technical assistance. The EU established and then expanded targeted sanctions, including an arms embargo, asset freeze and travel ban on government members, and an oil embargo. Syria consequently suspended its membership of and participation in the Union for the Mediterranean. The EU Delegation in Syria remained open until December 2012. [3] In December 2012, the EU accepted the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces as "legitimate representatives" of the Syrian people. [3]

The EU is a member of the Friends of Syria Group.

Trade

Before the war, the EU was Syria's largest trading partner with €3.6 billion worth of EU goods exports to Syria and €3.5 billion of Syrian exports to the EU. Total trade was worth €7.18 billion in 2010 and the EU is Syria's largest trading partner with 22.5% of its trade (Syria is the EU's 50th). [9] Bilateral trade has contracted since the war to €1.45 billion in 2013, a drop of 91% of exports from Syria and of 61% of exports from the EU compared to 2011. [3] However, the volume of trade has started to rise in recent years, e.g. in 2018 it was 50% higher than their low in 2016. [10]

Related Research Articles

A European Union Association Agreement or simply Association Agreement (AA) is a treaty between the European Union (EU), its Member States and a non-EU country that creates a framework for co-operation between them. Areas frequently covered by such agreements include the development of political, trade, social, cultural and security links.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">China–European Union relations</span> Bilateral relations

Relations between the European Union (EU) and the People's Republic of China (PRC) or Sino–European relations are bilateral relations that were established in 1975 between the PRC and the European Community. The EU is the PRC's largest trading partner, and the PRC is the EU's largest trade partner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foreign relations of the European Union</span> Relations between the European Union and other countries

Although there has been a large degree of integration between European Union member states, foreign relations is still a largely intergovernmental matter, with the 27 states controlling their own relations to a large degree. However, with the Union holding more weight as a single entity, there are at times attempts to speak with one voice, notably on trade and energy matters. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy personifies this role.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">European Union–United States relations</span> Bilateral relations

Relations between the European Union and the United States began in 1953, when US diplomats visited the European Coal and Steel Community in addition to the national governments of its six founding countries. The two parties share a good relationship which is strengthened by NATO, cooperation on trade, and shared values.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Israel–European Union relations</span> Bilateral relations

Israel is an associated state of the European Union. The relations between the two are framed in the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, and the Union for the Mediterranean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Azerbaijan–European Union relations</span> Bilateral relations

The Republic of Azerbaijan and the European Union (EU) have maintained a positive relationship through the years and have become more closely linked since 1991. Azerbaijan is currently part of the European Neighborhood Policy, the Eastern Partnership and the Council of Europe. The EU is the largest foreign grant donor to and investor in Azerbaijan, both in the government sector and civil society, making available over 600 million EURO of bilateral EU assistance since 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ASEAN–European Union relations</span> Bilateral relations

The ASEAN–European Union relations are the bilateral foreign relations between the two organisations; the European Union (EU), and the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN). EU and ASEAN have been interacting with each other on the economic, trade, and political levels for more than four decades. The partnership between the EU and ASEAN dates back to 1972, when the EU established ties with ASEAN. The EU became an ASEAN Dialogue Partner in 1977.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Croatia–Syria relations</span> Bilateral relations

Croatia–Syria relations are bilateral relations between Croatia and the Syrian Arab Republic. Both countries established diplomatic relations on 29 August 1997. Croatia is represented in Syria through its embassy in Cairo in Egypt and an honorary consulate in Damascus. Syria is represented in Croatia through its embassy in Budapest, Hungary and an honorary consulate in Zagreb. Both countries are full members of the Union for the Mediterranean, although Syria suspended its membership in 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brazil–European Union relations</span> Bilateral relations

Brazil and the European Union established diplomatic relations in 1960. The European Union and Brazil have close historical, cultural, economic and political ties. At the 1st EU-Brazil summit, in 2007, Brazil entered in a strategic partnership with the European Union, strengthening their ties. This new relationship places Brazil high on the EU's political map.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kazakhstan–European Union relations</span> Bilateral relations

European Union–Kazakhstan relations are the international relations between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the common foreign policy and trade relations of the European Union.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iran–European Union relations</span> Bilateral relations

European Union–Iran relations are the bilateral relations between Iran and the European Union (EU). The EU is Iran's largest trading partner, along with China and the United Arab Emirates. Trade with Iran is subject to the general EU import regime and the EU supports the goal of Iranian accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The EU has accused and criticized Iran for human rights violations, which led to diplomatic tensions, but both sides aim at improving and normalizing relations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lebanon–European Union relations</span> Bilateral relations

Lebanon–European Union relations see substantial ties through the EU's European Neighborhood Policy (ENP). The EU is the largest trading partner of Lebanon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cuba–European Union relations</span> Bilateral relations

Cuba–European Union relations are the international relations between the Republic of Cuba and the common foreign policy and trade relations of the European Union (EU). Relations have been strained in recent years, due to Cuba's poor human rights record and the European Union's numerous accusations of Cuba's human rights abuses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Africa–European Union relations</span> Bilateral relations

The European Union (EU) has strong cultural and historical links to South Africa and the EU is South Africa's biggest investor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indonesia–European Union relations</span> Bilateral relations

Diplomatic relations between European countries and Indonesia date back to 1949. Initially, European Union (EU)–Indonesia relations were facilitated through the EU–Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) cooperation. Bilateral cooperation was continuously expanded and eventually the EU Delegation to Indonesia was opened in 1988. Economic and political dialogue between Indonesia and the EU takes the form of regular Senior Officials Meetings. In 2000 relations were further reinforced with the release of the European Commission's communication "Developing Closer Relations between Indonesia and the EU". In November 2013, the EU's high representative for foreign and security policy Catherine Ashton made her first official visit to Indonesia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Japan–European Union relations</span> Bilateral relations

Relations between the European Union (EU) and Japan date back to 1959. They have a strong trade relationship, particularly in investment flows.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Korea–European Union relations</span> Bilateral relations

The European Union (EU) and the Republic of Korea are important trade partners: Korea is the EU's ninth largest export market for goods, and the EU is Korea's third largest export destination. The two have signed a free trade agreement which came into effect at end of 2011. Furthermore, South Korea is the only country in the world with the three agreements covering economics, politics and security in effect as of 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malaysia–European Union relations</span> Bilateral relations

Malaysia–European Union relations are the multilateral relations between Malaysia and the European Union. Malaysia has had a free trade agreement with the European Union (EU) since 2010 and both benefit from the relationship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Argentina foreign trade relations with the European Union</span> Bilateral relations

Argentina has strong cultural and historical links to the European Union (EU) and the EU is Argentina's biggest investor.

References

  1. ↑ Syrian Arab Republic, European External Action Service
  2. ↑ EU takes first step toward recognition of anti-Assad council, EU Observer 10 October 2011
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Press corner". Ec.europa.eu. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
  4. ↑ Goldman, Yoel (15 March 2013). "Saudi Arabia, Italy and Holland". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  5. 1 2 EU-Syria relations, factsheet, Bruxelles, 14/07/2016 - 23:22, UNIQUE ID: 141215_01
  6. ↑ Agreements EU delegation to Syria
  7. ↑ "Union for the Mediterranean: time for parliaments to play their role - News". European Parliament. 22 March 2013. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  8. ↑ "List of Member States of the Union for the Mediterranean". Union for the Mediterranean - UfM. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  9. ↑ Bilateral relations Syria, European Commission
  10. ↑ "U.S. and European Sanctions on Syria" (PDF). Cartercenter.org. September 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.