On Tuesday, the foreign ministers of the European Union agreed to remove the economic sanctions imposed on Syria, announced EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas. Kallas stated on the social platform X that the EU aims to assist the Syrian people in building a new, inclusive, and peaceful Syria. This shift in EU foreign policy follows a similar announcement last week by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who expressed intentions to lift U.S. sanctions on Syria.
Over the past 14 years, the EU has stood by the Syrian people and plans to continue its support, said Kallas. While some sanctions related to energy, transport, reconstruction, and financial transactions have already been eased, many capitals argued that these measures were insufficient to support political change and economic recovery in Syria. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul emphasized the importance of a united Syria taking control of its own future and stressed the EU’s expectation for an inclusive national policy encompassing all population and religious groups.
New Syrian leadership has persistently pushed for the lifting of international sanctions, originally imposed due to the repression by former President Bashar al-Assad that plunged the country into civil war. However, diplomats indicated that the EU plans to impose new targeted sanctions on individuals responsible for fomenting ethnic tensions, particularly after deadly attacks on the Alawite minority.
Sanctions aimed at the Assad regime, including arms embargoes and restrictions on equipment used to suppress civilians, are expected to remain in place. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani welcomed the EU decision, describing it as a sign of international willingness to support Damascus and underscored that the Syrian people now have a historic opportunity to rebuild their country.
