The United Kingdom has officially reestablished diplomatic relations with Syria during a visit by British Foreign Secretary David Lammy to Syria, where he met with Syria’s transitional president Ahmad al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani on Saturday, July 5.

During the meeting, Minister Asaad al-Shibani received an invitation to visit the United Kingdom to work on reopening the Syrian embassy in London, according to al-Ikhbariyah Syria.

Both sides also agreed to establish a Syrian-British Economic Council.

Additionally, David Lammy conveyed the UK’s commitment to supporting Syria’s agricultural and education sectors.

In an official statement, Lammy said,

“There is renewed hope for the Syrian people. The UK is re-establishing diplomatic relations because it is in our interests to support the new government to deliver their commitment to build a stable, more secure and prosperous future for all Syrians,”

On his X account, Lammy welcomed the progress made in Syria and emphasized the importance of a comprehensive and inclusive political transition.

The UK Foreign Office’s Syria account on X also stated that the UK will provide £94.5 million (about $129 million) for recovery, education, and humanitarian assistance in Syria, along with an additional £2 million ($2.7 million) to support chemical weapons elimination efforts.

Sanctions Relief as a First Step

In April, the British government lifted asset freezes on 12 Syrian entities, including Syria’s Ministries of Defense and Interior and several intelligence agencies.

According to a notice published by the UK Treasury, the following Syrian entities were removed from the consolidated sanctions list and are no longer subject to asset freezes:

• Ministry of Interior

• Ministry of Defense

• General Intelligence Directorate

• Air Force Intelligence Directorate

• Political Security Directorate

• Syrian National Security Office

• Military Intelligence Directorate

• Army Supply Office

• General Organization of Radio and TV

• Al-Watan newspaper

• Sham Press TV channel

• Sama TV channel

On March 6, the UK had also removed 24 Syrian entities from its sanctions list, lifting asset freezes on institutions such as: Central Bank of Syria, Agricultural Cooperative Bank, the Euphrates petroleum company, the Commercial Bank of Syria, the Central Bank of Syria, the Deir Ezzor petroleum company, Dijla company, and Ebla, both of which are oil companies.

Britain also lifted sanctions on the General Organization of Tobacco, the Syrian Oil Company, Mahroukat company, the Syria Trading Oil Company, and the Post Saving Fund.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry welcomed the UK government’s decision to lift sanctions on 24 Syrian entities, calling it a positive step that could help alleviate the humanitarian situation and facilitate Syria’s economic and political recovery.