Some remain: EU lifts some economic sanctions against Syria

The Assad regime in Syria is finally a thing of the past. The EU appreciates the efforts of the new government and is lifting some sanctions. However, the foreign ministers agree that not all measures will be dropped immediately.

Around two and a half months after the fall of Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad, the European Union has suspended its sanctions against Syria. EU foreign ministers unanimously approved legal texts that temporarily lift economic sanctions in the banking, energy and transport sectors.

The EU wants to facilitate relations with Syria, its people and its economy, said a statement by the Council, representing the member states. This also serves humanitarian purposes and the reconstruction of the country.

The new Syrian rulers, who have been demanding a lifting of sanctions since the fall of Assad, welcomed the decision. This would alleviate the "suffering of our people," said Foreign Minister Assaad al-Shibani. His ministry described the decision as "the beginning of a more comprehensive dialogue" and called on all of Syria's international partners to take further steps "to lift all remaining sanctions" and thus remove "an obstacle to the country's economic recovery."

Sanctions could be reintroduced

According to the statement, the EU is removing four Syrian banks and the state-owned airline Syrian Arab Airlines from its sanctions list. The Syrian Central Bank is also no longer subject to punitive measures. In addition, the EU is suspending its sanctions against the country's oil, gas and electricity industries.

According to their joint statement, the foreign ministers want to examine the lifting of further economic sanctions. If the political climate in Syria worsens, however, the EU sanctions could automatically be reinstated. The EU wants to maintain some measures in any case. This applies to the arms embargo against Syria and the sanctions against chemical weapons and drug trafficking. Those responsible for the Assad regime continue to be subject to entry and asset freezes.

Assad was overthrown in early December by the Islamist HTS militia and allied groups. The transitional government under HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa has been moderate since then. According to the UN, Syria will need more than 50 years to restore its economic strength to the level it had before the start of the 14-year war in the country.