EU foreign ministers agree to remove remaining economic restrictions, calling it a step toward peace and recovery after the fall of Assad’s regime.
The European Union on Tuesday announced the lifting of its remaining economic sanctions on Syria, a move described by top officials as part of a renewed effort to foster peace and help rebuild the war-torn country.
“We cannot have peace without a path to economic recovery. We all want peace,” said Kaja Kallas, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, following a meeting of the bloc’s foreign ministers in Brussels. “We must give the Syrian people a chance.”
The decision marks a significant step in the EU’s approach to Syria after years of sanctions related to the violent repression under former President Bashar al-Assad. While economic measures have now been lifted, restrictive sanctions targeting individuals and entities directly linked to human rights abuses during Assad’s rule will remain in place.
EU officials underscored that the move is not an endorsement of Syria’s past leadership but rather a commitment to a more inclusive and peaceful future.
“This is about helping build a new Syria — inclusive, stable, and at peace,” Kallas said in a statement posted to social media. She added that the EU has stood by the Syrian people for the last 14 years and will continue to do so.
Tuesday’s agreement follows the partial lifting of sanctions in January, which removed restrictions on the energy and transport sectors. Those changes came shortly after the fall of Assad’s regime and were seen as the EU’s first steps toward normalizing its relationship with Syria.
European Council President António Costa welcomed the latest decision, framing it as a reaffirmation of EU solidarity with Syrians. “As I conveyed to Syria’s interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa in March, we remain committed to a peaceful and inclusive transition led and owned by Syrians,” he said.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed that sentiment, calling reconciliation a “crucial first step” toward Syria’s reconstruction. “The road to recovery is long, but Europe is ready to walk it with Syria,” she said, emphasizing the EU’s role as a potential partner in the country’s future growth.
Though significant challenges remain, EU leaders signaled their readiness to engage constructively with Syria, alongside international and regional allies, to support a long-term peace.
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