EU to lift all economic sanctions on Syria

The European Union (EU) has decided to lift economic sanctions on Syria, the bloc’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, announced on Tuesday evening, the 20th of May, reports Politico.
Sanctions imposed on individuals linked to the Assad regime as well as human rights violations will remain in place.
“We want to help the Syrian people rebuild a new, inclusive and peaceful Syria. The EU has always supported Syrians over the past 14 years – and will continue to do so,” Kallas wrote on X.
The EU move comes after US President Donald Trump announced last week that he was going to lift US sanctions on Syria, shortly before meeting with Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Last December, Syrian rebels ousted dictator Bashar al-Assad, who brutally suppressed pro-democracy protests in 2011, triggering a civil war and widespread international sanctions. Some leaders have called for these sanctions to be lifted to support the country’s economic recovery after the fall of the Assad regime.
Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani told a press conference that the EU move showed “the international will to support Syria”. He added that “the Syrian people today have a very important and historic opportunity to rebuild their country”.
The EU had already eased sanctions on Syria in February to support an “inclusive political transition” in the country, the EU Council said in a statement.
However, European officials remained cautious about the new government, led by former Al Qaeda member al-Sharaa, who has changed his position. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned in December that regime change in Syria “offers opportunities but is not without risks”.
“We want to give the new leadership a real chance”, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Tuesday on the lifting of sanctions. “In return, we expect an inclusive policy in the country – one that involves all citizens and religious groups.”