EU foreign ministers agreed on a roadmap to ease sanctions against Syria, with bloc chief Kaja Kallas stressing that progress must be cautious. The EU currently imposes sanctions targeting individuals, businesses, and financial flows in Syria, including oil export bans and access restrictions. After Bashar al-Assad was ousted by insurgent groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), European capitals are rethinking their approach to help Syria recover. Kallas warned that reversing sanctions could undo any progress, but she emphasized the need for gradual action to maintain leverage while encouraging new Damascus authorities to respect rights and adopt inclusive policies. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani welcomed the EU’s move, calling it a positive step toward a more stable future for Syria. Diplomats suggested focusing on sectors like energy and transport for potential sanctions easing. The EU will now work on the technical details of lifting restrictions before any legal suspension can be finalized.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/eu-ministers-agree-roadmap-ease-syria-sanctions-2025-01-27