EU Reopens Trade with Syria: Opportunities and Risks for Spanish Companies 2026

Key data

Spanish companies have access to a market that has been practically closed for 15 years. The Council Decision (EU) 2026/1087 repeals Decision 2011/523/EU, which partially suspended the Cooperation Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Syrian Arab Republic in response to the Assad regime's repression. With its repeal, that legal framework for commercial and economic cooperation becomes operational again.

The change is significant: it means the restoration of the legal umbrella under which contracts, import and export operations, and economic relations with Syrian counterparts can be formalized. The political context that makes this possible is the fall of the Assad regime.

What does this regulation establish?

Council Decision (EU) 2026/1087 has concrete and direct content: it repeals Decision 2011/523/EU. This means eliminating the partial suspension that since 2011 prevented the application of the original Cooperation Agreement between the EU and Syria.

The original Cooperation Agreement between the European Economic Community and Syria establishes the framework for bilateral commercial and economic relations. Its reactivation does not mean that everything is free from restrictions: the regulation expressly warns that other sectoral restrictive measures may persist that must be verified on a case-by-case basis.

Economic and operational impact

The reactivation of the agreement opens real opportunities, especially linked to Syria's reconstruction. The sectors expressly identified in the regulation are three:

• Construction: Infrastructure, housing and civil works in a country that needs massive reconstruction after years of conflict.
• Energy: Rehabilitation and development of energy infrastructure.
• Agribusiness: Supply of food, agricultural machinery and sector products.

For companies that already had commercial relations with Syria before 2011, this means the possibility of resuming contacts and contracts under a recognized legal framework. For those who never operated there, it is a new market opening.

However, the regulation is explicit in noting that operational risks persist. The legal framework has been reactivated, but the situation on the ground requires specific evaluation. Additionally, sectoral restrictive measures independent of the Cooperation Agreement may remain in force, which must be verified before committing resources.

Who does it affect?

• Spanish export companies that want to sell products or services in Syria, especially in construction, energy and agribusiness.
• Import companies that want to bring products of Syrian origin to Spain or the EU.
• Engineering and construction companies with capacity to participate in reconstruction projects.
• Energy sector companies interested in infrastructure rehabilitation projects in Syria.
• Agribusiness companies exporting products, machinery or agricultural technology.
• Foreign trade advisors and compliance departments that manage the sanctions and restrictions map for their clients or companies.
• CFOs and international expansion directors who evaluate new markets in the region.

Practical example

A Spanish construction materials company had been unable to operate with its distributor in Damascus since 2011 due to the suspension of the Cooperation Agreement. From 11 May 2026, the legal framework supporting that commercial relationship becomes active again.

Before reactivating the contract, this company must make two mandatory verifications:

1. Check whether the type of product it exports is subject to any sectoral restrictive measure that remains in force independently of the Cooperation Agreement.
2. Conduct an operational risk assessment of the current situation in Syria: logistics, payment collection, legal certainty of the contract and the counterparty's capacity.

If both verifications are favorable, it can resume the commercial relationship with legal backing under the reactivated EU-Syria Cooperation Agreement.

What should companies do now?

1. Verify if your sector or product has sectoral restrictions in force: The repeal of Decision 2011/523/EU does not automatically eliminate all restrictive measures. Check whether your specific activity remains subject to any independent limitation.
2. Assess operational risk in Syria: The regulation expressly warns that operational risks persist. Before signing contracts or committing investment, conduct an updated country risk assessment.
3. Identify opportunities in the identified sectors: If you operate in construction, energy or agribusiness, analyze whether there are concrete opportunities in the Syrian reconstruction process that fit your offering.
4. Update your company's sanctions map: Compliance and foreign trade departments must reflect this change in their internal records and due diligence procedures.
5. Consult with a foreign trade specialist: Given that the reactivated agreement may coexist with other sectoral restrictive measures, it is advisable to obtain specific advice before initiating operations.