The European Union has suspended a range of sanctions against Syria, including restrictions on energy, banking, transport, and reconstruction. The move comes after insurgent forces led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) ousted President Bashar al-Assad in December.
EU foreign ministers agreed to lift sanctions on oil, gas, and electricity, as well as restrictions on the transport sector. They also eased rules on the Syrian central bank and extended an exemption for humanitarian aid deliveries.
However, some sanctions remain in place, including those related to arms trading, dual-use goods, software for surveillance, and international trade of cultural heritage goods. EU countries will continue to monitor the situation in Syria to ensure that the suspensions are still necessary.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani welcomed the decision, saying it would alleviate suffering among his people. The suspension of sanctions is a significant shift in the EU’s approach to Syria, following a review of its policies in response to the change in government.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/eu-suspends-sanctions-against-syria-including-those-energy-banking-2025-02-24