The European Union announced today, Tuesday, that it has officially lifted all economic sanctions on Syria, marking a major policy shift after years of punitive measures.
اضافة اعلان
Key Developments:
EU foreign ministers, meeting in Brussels, reached a consensus to remove sanctions that had long hampered Syria’s economic recovery.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas expressed optimism earlier in the day that the bloc would reach an agreement, saying:
“It’s clear we want to create jobs and livelihoods for the Syrian people, to help make the country more stable.”
Sanctions Shift with Conditions:
While broad economic sanctions have been lifted, targeted sanctions tied to human rights violations and figures from the former Assad regime will remain in place.
Diplomats clarified that the focus is on helping the civilian population and enabling reconstruction, rather than empowering political figures from the former regime.
Timeline of Sanctions Easing:
In February, the EU began removing restrictions on sectors like energy, transportation, banking, and the import of luxury goods for personal use.
In January, EU foreign ministers agreed on a “roadmap” for easing sanctions, starting with the energy sector.
Kallas also proposed allowing funding for key ministries involved in rebuilding infrastructure.
U.S. Alignment:
The decision follows a recent move by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who also lifted U.S. sanctions on Syria, prompting swift action by American agencies.
Syria’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the U.S. decision as a “positive step toward ending the suffering of the Syrian people,” stressing that sanctions have recently impacted civilians more than the regime.
This decision reflects a growing consensus in Western policy circles that economic strangulation is no longer a viable strategy and that rebuilding Syria — while ensuring accountability for past abuses — is a more sustainable path forward.
