The paper, circulated among member states by the EU’s diplomatic service, proposes resuming the bloc’s 1978 cooperation agreement with Syria and initiating a High-Level Political Dialogue with transitional authorities starting May 11. The move signals a departure from years of limited engagement following the country’s prolonged conflict.

The EU also intends to “reframe and adapt” its sanctions regime to retain leverage while engaging Syria’s leadership, focusing restrictions on actors seen as obstructing the political transition. Most Western sanctions were lifted late last year as Damascus sought reintegration into the international system under interim President , who assumed power after the removal of former leader in 2024.

The document outlines plans to expand economic ties through trade and investment frameworks, including mobilising private sector funding and establishing a technical assistance hub to support regulatory and business reforms. The EU also aims to facilitate the safe and voluntary return of refugees, with more than one million Syrians currently residing in Europe, around half of them in Germany.

Brussels is additionally exploring Syria’s integration into regional connectivity initiatives such as the , positioning the country as a potential hub for transport, energy and digital links amid shifting global supply routes.

Syria has gained strategic relevance as an emerging transit corridor following disruptions linked to tensions affecting the . A tanker carrying Iraqi oil recently departed from the Syrian port of Baniyas after overland transport, highlighting evolving logistics patterns.
On security cooperation, the EU is considering support for training Syrian police forces, strengthening institutional capacity within the interior ministry, and coordinating efforts on counterterrorism, organised crime and drug trafficking.

The document also reaffirms EU backing for a political agreement between Damascus and Kurdish-led authorities aimed at integrating northeastern institutions into the state framework and expanding rights for Kurdish populations. Recent steps include the appointment of a senior Kurdish commander to a deputy defence role overseeing eastern territories.

The policy shift reflects a broader recalibration by European governments seeking stability, migration management and economic engagement following more than a decade of conflict and isolation.

Speaking in an interview with Fox News on Monday, Vance said the United States had clearly defined its “red lines” during negotiations held over the weekend in Pakistan, where he led a U.S. delegation in discussions with Iranian officials.“I really think the ball is in the Iranian court, because we put a lot on the table,” Vance said, adding that the U.S. position leaves no room for flexibility on key issues.

He identified two core demands: U.S. control over Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile and the establishment of a robust verification mechanism to ensure Tehran does not develop nuclear weapons capability. “It’s one thing for the Iranians to say that they’re not going to have a nuclear weapon.

It’s another thing for us to put in place the mechanism to ensure that’s not going to happen,” he said.The talks in Islamabad marked the highest-level engagement between the two sides in years but ended without an agreement to halt the more than five-week conflict involving U.S. and Israeli forces against Iran.

Vance said that, as part of a two-week ceasefire agreed last week, Washington also expects Iran to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route that has been effectively closed by Iranian forces.

Despite the lack of a deal, both sides have indicated a willingness to continue discussions, with diplomatic efforts ongoing through intermediaries to prevent further escalation.

According to the report, which cited four U.S., Israeli and regional sources, the proposed arrangement would begin with a temporary ceasefire lasting 45 days, during which negotiators would seek to reach a permanent agreement to end the war.

A second phase would focus on finalizing terms for a comprehensive settlement.The report said the ceasefire period could be extended if additional time is needed to conclude negotiations.

Reuters could not independently verify the Axios report, and neither the White House nor the U.S. State Department immediately responded to requests for comment.

The development comes as tensions remain high, with U.S. President Donald Trump reiterating a deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face potential strikes on critical infrastructure.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Trump said the deadline would expire on Tuesday evening.