EU ministers lift Syria sanctions to aid rebuilding efforts
The head of EU diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, announced on Tuesday that the foreign ministers of EU countries had decided to lift economic sanctions imposed on Syria. These sanctions were placed on the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, which was overthrown in December.
"We want to help the Syrian people rebuild a new, inclusive and peaceful Syria," wrote Kallas on platform X. The High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy reminded that the EU has supported the Syrians for the last 14 years and— as she announced—will continue to do so.
Decision to lift sanctions on Syria
In 2011, the country experienced mass protests known as the Arab Spring, which quickly evolved into a civil war where Assad's regime brutally dealt with the rebels opposing it. In response, the EU imposed sanctions on Assad's regime, including economic measures that isolated it from the Western banking system, restricting the possibility of executing foreign transactions.
As Kallas announced, the ministers also decided to allocate €18 million from European Union funds to improve conditions in camps for fighters and their families.
Kallas stated at a press conference that the sanctions will be conditionally lifted, and if no progress is observed, they may be reimposed. She emphasised that the situation in Syria is not ideal, but the EU decided to give Syrians a chance.
Relations with Syria and its new government were among the topics of discussion at the meeting of the foreign ministers of EU states on Tuesday in Brussels.
EU sanctions imposed on Syria were due to be extended by the Union in June. The European Union had already lifted some restrictions to allow, among other things, the export of energy to the country. However, sanctions concerning the sale of arms are to remain in place.
The Syrian Foreign Minister, Asaad al-Shibani, expressed gratitude to the Union for the decision to lift the sanctions. He declared that this decision would contribute to enhancing security and stability in Syria.
The United States was the first to announce the lifting of sanctions. This was declared by US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, ahead of his meeting with the interim president of Syria, Ahmed al-Shara, in Riyadh. This was the first meeting of the presidents of both countries in 25 years.
Al-Shara, leading the coalition of Islamist rebels, overthrew Assad's regime in December 2024. Since taking power, he has distanced himself from connections with jihadists. He has also sought rapprochement with the West and the lifting of sanctions, emphasising that it is necessary to unify and rebuild the country devastated by almost 14 years of civil war.
