EU foreign ministers agreed today, Monday, January 27, on a roadmap to ease European sanctions on Syria, following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s regime on December 8, 2024.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, stated after the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels, “While we aim to move fast, the lifting of sanctions can be reversed if wrong steps are taken.”

Earlier, the French Foreign Minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, had remarked that the easing of sanctions would apply to the energy, transport, and finance sectors.

He said upon arriving at the EU Foreign Ministers’ meeting, “Regarding Syria, we will decide to lift the sanctions that were imposed on the energy and transport sectors and the financial institutions that were essential for the country’s financial stability.”

During the meeting, European officials discussed a range of issues including the situation in the Middle East and specifically Syria.

According to a statement, after the fall of Assad’s regime in Syria, the EU emphasizes the historic opportunity to reunite and rebuild the country and stresses the importance of an inclusive political process led by Syrians that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people, in accordance with the fundamental principles of UN Security Council Resolution 2254.

The EU supports the work of the UN Special Envoy to Syria while affirming the necessity to respect Syria’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within completely safe borders, according to international law.

The European Council stresses the need to ensure respect for human rights, including women’s rights, non-sectarian governance, and protection of religious and ethnic minorities, as well as safeguarding Syria’s cultural heritage, calling on all parties to maintain national unity and ensure the protection of all civilians, provide public services, and create conditions for a comprehensive and peaceful political transition, alongside the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of Syrian refugees, as outlined by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

The European Council also affirms the importance of combating terrorism, preventing the resurgence of terrorist groups, and destroying remaining chemical weapon stockpiles in Syria. It calls on the Commission and the High Representative to present options to the Council regarding the necessary measures to support Syria, according to the statement.

Current sanctions imposed by the EU include a ban on Syrian oil imports and freezing any assets of the Syrian Central Bank in Europe.

Officials in the new Syrian administration, as well as officials from Arab and Western countries, emphasize the necessity of lifting sanctions on Syria to boost the economy, development, and reconstruction, alleviating the burdens on the Syrian people. This topic is currently at the forefront of political discussions surrounding Syria.