Brussels (Eurotoday) – The European Union may soon lift sanctions on Syria over energy and transport, though it hasn’t yet decided to ease restrictions over financial transactions, based on three diplomats and a document obtained by Reuters.
European Union foreign ministers will discuss the matter at a gathering in Brussels on January 27, 2025. Foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas briefed Reuters that she hopes a political consensus on reducing the sanctions can be achieved at the gathering.
An EU document seen by Reuters indicates that diplomats from the bloc’s 27 members suggested taking swift measures towards discontinuing the restrictions “in sectors necessary for economic stabilization and launch of economic reconstruction of Syria, such as those regarding energy and transport.”
As part of a group that negotiates EU foreign policy positions on issues related to the Middle East and North Africa, they also recommended “assessing options for reopening banking and investment relations with Syria.”
The easing of EU restrictive measures would be rolled out in a staged approach and in a reversible manner, regularly assessing if the conditions in Syria allow for further suspension,
the diplomats noted.
How does the European Union assess Syria’s progress?
Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has been one of the active voices calling for further dialogue after ousting Bashar al-Assad. She attended the Quint meeting in Rome on January 9–10, 2025, along with foreign ministers from France, Germany, the UK, and the US. The goal was to coordinate an effort to aid Syria in transitioning after Assad’s departure, and assist the Syrian transitional government in countering challenges for society. Protection of minorities needs to become an indispensable factor in reconciliation with peace in Syria, said the EU.
In addition, on January 12, 2025, Kallas announced that EU foreign ministers would meet in Brussels on January 27 to discuss possible sanctions relief for Syria. This followed a high-level diplomatic gathering in Saudi Arabia that included the newly appointed Foreign Minister of Syria. Kallas stated that any easing of sanctions would depend on the new Syrian administration’s commitment to governing inclusively and avoiding radicalization.
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