The EU Council officially adopted the legal process for lifting economic sanctions against Syria on Wednesday, a “historic” move aimed at supporting the reconstruction of the Syrian people and their political transition. The decision comes after EU foreign ministers unanimously agreed last week to end existing economic sanctions, retaining only specific security measures based on human rights and regional security considerations.
According to a statement from the Council of the European Union, the legal process will lift all economic restrictions on Syria, including bans in the financial and energy sectors, except for provisions related to security concerns or serious human rights violations.
The resolution also removed 24 Syrian entities from the sanctions list, including the Syrian Central Bank, a number of commercial banks and companies active in the oil, refining, cotton, communications and media sectors. This move is seen as a key step for Syria’s economy to return to the international financial system and attract foreign investment.
EU Foreign Policy Coordinator Kaya Kallas emphasized: “At this historical juncture, this is the right action that the EU must take to support the real recovery of Syria and a political transition that meets the demands of all Syrian people. The EU has stood with the Syrian people for the past 14 years, and will continue to do so in the future. ”
human rights
Despite the economic lifting, the EU reaffirmed the principle of accountability and decided to extend the sanctions list for individuals and entities involved in the Bashar regime until June 1, 2026, including individuals suspected of violating civilians or associated with repressive institutions.
The Council of the European Union also added restrictions on two individuals and three entities in connection with the violence that occurred off the coast of Syria in March this year, under the EU’s global human rights sanctions mechanism. The EU statement emphasized that it will continue to monitor the situation and hold violators accountable, while cooperating with the Syrian Transitional Authority to ensure that the country’s reconstruction process is based on the principles of justice and free from external interference.
On February 24 this year, the EU partially eased sanctions to facilitate contacts with the new Syrian entity, and on May 20, it made a political lifting decision and pledged to support a “united, pluralistic and peaceful new Syria”. The policy change marks a shift in the EU’s course of pressure on sanctions that have lasted for 14 years, which were originally imposed in response to war crimes committed by overthrown regimes.