Wheat shipment arrives in Syria as EU passes legislation to lift sanctions

One of the first significant trade deliveries since the European Union and the United States lifted their economic sanctions on the country after nearly 14 years of civil war and economic devastation, a vessel carrying 28 500 tonnes of wheat docked at Tartous, Syria.

The action comes after the EU Council approved a bill on Wednesday to officially end the bloc’s sanctions against Syria.

The political choice was chosen last week by the EU’s foreign ministers, and it comes in response to a similar announcement made by the US earlier this month.

According to Al Jazeera’s Mahmoud Abdel Wahed, who is based in Damascus, “We know this has a crucial significance for the Syrian people and the government,” according to Abdel Wahed.

This is an indication that the nation can be re-integrated into the international community, that trade and commerce can be resumed, and that the nation can re-connect with the world financial system in the wake of the lifting of international sanctions.

The Syrian economy and infrastructure are anticipated to recover more quickly with the lifting of sanctions. The Central Bank of Syria and other banks in Syria now have renewed access to European financial markets.

Kaja Kallas, the head of EU foreign policy, applauded the decision, reaffirming Europe’s “commitment to supporting Syrians’ rebuilding of a” new, inclusive, peaceful Syria.”

“At this historic moment, this decision is simply the right thing to do,” Kallas said. “This decision is absolutely necessary for the EU to fully support Syria’s recovery and political transition,” she added.

Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government was the target of sanctions issued by the EU and the US in December following a lightning rebel offensive led by the now-interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

The restrictions severely slowed access to goods and investments because they effectively had essentially ended Syria’s integration into the world’s banking and trade systems.

As part of broader efforts to stabilize and rebuild the country, Al-Sharaa had advocated for the lifting of the sanctions.

The European Council has placed asset freezes and travel bans on people and entities connected to the former al-Assad government until June 1, 2026, despite easeling trade restrictions.