The European Union on Tuesday agreed to lift economic sanctions against Syria, said the bloc's top diplomat Kaja Kallas. It came a week after the US lifted its sanctions against Damascus. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said the EU's decision showed an international will to support the country after the fall of Bashar al-Assad.
EU countriesagreed Tuesday to lift all their remaining economicsanctionsonSyriain a bid to help the war-torn country recover after the ouster ofBashar al-Assad.
Today, we took the decision to lift our economic sanctions on Syria, the EUs top diplomatKaja Kallasposted on X after a meeting of the blocs foreign ministers inBrussels.
We want to help the Syrian people rebuild a new, inclusive and peaceful Syria, she said.
The move from theEuropean Unioncomes after US PresidentDonald Trumpannounced last week that Washington was lifting its sanctions against Syria.
The countrys new rulers have been clamouring for relief from the crushing international punishment imposed after Assads crackdown on opponents spiralled intocivil war.
EU diplomats said the agreement should see the lifting of sanctions cutting Syrian banks off from the global system and freezing central bank assets.
But diplomats said the bloc intended to impose new individual sanctions on those responsible for stirring ethnic tensions, following deadly attacks targeting the Alawite minority.
Other measures targeting the Assad regime and prohibiting the sale of weapons or equipment that could be used to repress civilians are set to remain in place.
Syrias foreign minister Asaad al-Shaibani said after the EU decision that the lifting of the economic sanctions showed an international will to supportDamascus.
Shaibani added that the Syrian people today have a very important and historic opportunity to rebuild their country.
The latest move from the EU comes after it took a first step in February of suspending some sanctions on key Syrian economic sectors.
Officials said those measures could be reimposed if Syrias new leaders break promises to respect the rights of minorities and move towards democracy.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Originally published on France24
