EU Suspends Sanctions Targeting Syrian Economy
The European Union announced on Monday that it has suspended a series of sanctions against Syria with immediate effect. The measures lifted include restrictions affecting the energy sector—covering oil, gas, and electricity—as well as those on the transport sector. In addition, asset freezes on five banks have been removed, restrictions on the Syrian central bank have been eased, and an exemption to facilitate humanitarian aid deliveries has been extended indefinitely.
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The decision comes as European leaders reassess their policy toward Syria following the ouster of former President Bashar Assad by insurgent forces led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham last December. While the EU has maintained a broad range of sanctions targeting both individuals and key economic sectors in Syria, this latest move reflects a shift in strategy in light of the new political reality.
During a meeting in Brussels on Monday, EU foreign ministers agreed to suspend the sanctions affecting Syria’s energy and transport sectors. However, several sanctions remain in place, including those on arms trading, dual-use goods that have both military and civilian applications, surveillance software, and the international trade of Syrian cultural heritage items. EU officials stated that they will continue to closely monitor the situation in Syria to ensure that the suspension of these sanctions remains appropriate.
