European Union Approves Full Lifting of Economic Sanctions on Syria

ARK News.. On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, European Union member states gave the green light to lift all economic sanctions imposed on Syria, in a move aimed at supporting Damascus’ recovery following years of devastating conflict and the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad, according to diplomatic sources.

Officials indicated that ambassadors from the 27 EU member states reached a preliminary agreement on the decision, which is expected to be formally announced by the bloc’s foreign ministers later today.

The EU’s move follows a similar announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump last week, declaring that Washington would lift its sanctions on Syria.

However, diplomats noted that the EU plans to impose new individual sanctions on figures deemed responsible for inciting ethnic tensions after a series of deadly attacks targeting the Alawite minority.

Other restrictive measures—specifically those targeting the Assad regime—will remain in place, including an arms embargo and a ban on the export of equipment that could be used to suppress civilians.

This latest step comes after an initial move by the EU in February, when it suspended certain sanctions on key sectors of the Syrian economy.

EU officials stressed that the lifted sanctions could be reinstated if Syria's new leadership fails to uphold commitments to minority rights and democratic reforms.

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