European Union foreign ministers reached an agreement on Tuesday to lift the remaining economic sanctions on Syria, aiming to assist the nation in its recovery following years of conflict and the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad in late 2024.
“We want to help the Syrian people rebuild a new, inclusive and peaceful Syria,” stated Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s chief diplomat, on social media. “The E.U. has always stood by Syrians throughout the last 14 years — and will keep doing so.”
Since January, European officials have been working to reduce sanctions on Syria, seeking to provide relief to the new government while evaluating whether the evolving power structure aligns with E.U. values.
The decision to remove sanctions follows a recent announcement by President Trump regarding the lifting of U.S. sanctions on Syria, which has been celebrated as a significant economic shift for the war-torn country.
The combined removal of American and European sanctions is expected to revitalize Syria’s economy, facilitating investment in local businesses and enhancing stability as the nation attempts to rebuild after nearly 14 years of civil war.
In recent years, Syria has engaged in minimal trade with Europe, primarily due to a comprehensive sanctions program initiated by the European Union shortly after the 2011 uprising against the Assad regime. These sanctions have included an oil embargo, restrictions on certain technology imports and exports, and stringent financial limitations.
The E.U. has stated it will maintain weapons-related sanctions for security reasons, including arms and technology that could be used for internal repression.
Despite the easing of some sanctions, few businesses or regional governments were willing to invest in Syria while U.S. sanctions remained in place, compounded by uncertainty regarding potential repercussions from the Trump administration.
The recent U.S. decision, along with concerns about a potential rapid decline in the situation in Syria, appears to have motivated the European Union to act. Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara recently met with French President Emmanuel Macron, who had previously advocated for a gradual easing of European sanctions.
European policymakers have expressed caution, remaining vigilant about the possibility of the new Syrian government deviating from a positive trajectory. However, there is a growing belief that maintaining sanctions could be counterproductive if they lead to significant economic hardship that fosters instability.
“There are worries about whether the government is going in the right direction,” Kaja Kallas remarked on Tuesday. “But I think we do not have a choice. We actually either give them the possibility to stabilize the country, or we do not do that.”
During a news conference, Kallas was asked if the decision to lift sanctions was influenced by Trump’s recent announcement. She clarified that the European Union had been working on reducing restrictions for several months.
Concerns about the situation in Syria are not limited to Europe. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned senators on Tuesday that Syria could be “weeks” away from descending into a “full-scale civil war of epic proportions.” Rubio suggested that the prevention of such turmoil influenced the U.S. decision on sanctions and recently met with his Syrian counterpart in Turkey.
Trump, following a meeting with Syria’s leader, remarked that al-Shara had “a real shot at pulling it together,” but acknowledged that Syria remains “a torn-up country.”
Al-Shara has been attempting to reshape his image since assuming power, having previously led a branch of Al Qaeda before severing ties with the group. The U.S. designates the rebel organization he led during the civil war, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, as a terrorist entity.
Despite ongoing sectarian violence and heightened tensions among Syrian minorities, the relief from sanctions could provide hope in a country where over 90 percent of the population lives in poverty, as reported by the United Nations.
“We are committed to supporting a peaceful and inclusive, Syrian-led and Syrian-owned transition to help build a better future,” stated António Costa, the president of the European Council, on social media Tuesday evening.