UNIMED Director says European Commission aims to open National Erasmus+ office in Syria in 2027

The Mediterranean Universities Union (UNIMED) Director Marcello Scalisi has said that the European Commission aims to set up a National Erasmus+ Office in Syria as of 2027 to promote the programme's opportunities within the country.

Scalisi gave this information in an interview with the news outlet The New Arab on 23/06/2026. His organisation, UNIMED, confirmed the news, which "has been welcomed by Syrian Universities and academic organisations".

National Erasmus+ offices are registered as NGOs in host countries, with coordinators selected through a process involving both national authorities and EU delegations.

"It comes after years in which Syria’s public universities were affected by European sanctions under the Assad regime,” the association said. Bashar al-Assad, former Syrian President, was overthrown by the rebels in December 2024. The country is now ruled by a transitional government until the next election.

For Scalisi, establishing a National Erasmus+ Office "reflects a broader recognition across Europe that Syria is re-entering international academic networks". UNIMED…