EU suspends select Syria sanctions to encourage democratic development

In an effort to promote democratic progress in Syria during the country’s political transition, the European Union has lifted some of its sanctions.

The bloc announced on Monday that it had immediately lifted restrictions on the transport industry, including aviation, as well as restrictions on oil, gas, and electricity.

However, it warned that if the de facto leadership of Syria did not carry out the desired reforms, the decision might be reversed.

Additionally, the EU reinstated the ability to finance and provide five banks with specific economic resources. Additionally, restrictions on the sale of expensive goods to Syria will be lifted.

During the administration of ousted President Bashar al-Assad, the EU imposed a wide range of sanctions on entire economic sectors and individuals in Syria. The new government’s leadership has urged the West to ease the restrictions to aid Syria’s recovery from decades of oppressive rule and civil war.

The EU said in a statement that its foreign ministers had made the decision to suspend select sanctions as part of efforts to “support an inclusive political transition in Syria, and its swift economic recovery, reconstruction, and stabilisation”.

Sanctions could be quickly lifted against Syria’s interim rulers if they take the wrong course, according to the bloc.

Ahmad al-Sharaa, the leader of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) armed group, was named interim president last month after a meeting of most of the country’s former rebel factions that overthrew al-Assad and five decades of his family’s rule.

After more than ten years of war, which left parts of Syria occupied by foreign forces, Al-Sharaa has been holding meetings with regional and international leaders to form ties and lead a reconstruction campaign.

A national dialogue conference on a new direction for Syria is expected to take place on Tuesday.

The new government has made a key commitment to developing a constitutional framework, an economic roadmap, and institutional reform plans as part of its effort to lift US sanctions.

The proposals and ideas that the authorities have promised to form by the end of the month are expected to be taken into account when creating a new government.