Stefano Sannino, the European Commission’s head of the Directorate-General for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf, visited Damascus, Syria, on Wednesday to set the foundation for future cooperation between Syria and the European Union.

With Iran out of Syria and America largely leaving the nation, there is room for another power to exert influence over Syria. Europe aims to fill this role.

Details: Sannino met with Dr. Mohammed Nidal al-Shaar, Syria’s minister of Economy and Industry. This was Sannino’s first official trip to the nation. The officials discussed ways to improve Syria’s financial situation.

• Shaar noted that Damascus is in a new economic phase, based on international partnerships as sanctions on the nation are lifted.
• Syria can once again welcome European companies.
• Damascus is reviewing its business environment to prepare for Syria’s return to international supply lines.

Sannino said the EU was prepared to supply Damascus with the technical and financial support needed to help make Syria a major trade partner again.

I bring a message of support from the EU to the Syrian people. We want to see a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned peaceful and inclusive transition. We will work together for socioeconomic recovery and reconstruction of the country.
—Stefano Sannino

Prophesied alliance: Even as Iran and America struggled over Syrian control, the Trumpet boldly forecast for over two decades that the nation would eventually fall under Europe’s influence. This trend is prophesied in the Bible.

The fall of Syria’s Bashar Assad was a major fulfillment of Bible prophecy. Europe’s growing influence in the nation further shows how God is fully in control of events in the nation.

Learn more: Read “Syria’s Fall: Another Key Prophecy Fulfilled.”