Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The European Union is weighing lifting more sanctions against Syria, which may include economic sanctions and humanitarian exceptions, Bloomberg reported.
The European Union is in the process of negotiating a deal to partially suspend several restrictive measures on Syria’s energy industry, including dumping prohibitions on importing crude from the land and providing technologies to the oil and gas industry.
What measures is the EU considering to lift against Syria?
The sources said that an arrangement could also terminate restrictions on funding exploring or refining oil and the building of new power plants. Other steps eyed by the EU include releasing several banks from the sanctions list and partially removing some restrictions earlier imposed on Syria’s central bank to permit it to make funds available, according to people familiar with the matter.
Earlier, EU foreign ministers reached a deal last January 27, 2025, regarding the roadmap easing sanctions on Syria. Restrictions imposed in areas including energy, transport, and financial institutions are expected to be put on hold for now.
Such relief on the sanctions would support the economy of the country towards economic recovery, thus stabilising the nation with its new administration. Relief is dependent upon what Syria’s new authorities achieve with regard to inclusion and human rights. A “snapback” mechanism enables the EU to reinstate sanctions if conditions deteriorate.
When did the EU impose sanctions on Syria?
The EU had levied sanctions on Syria due to the government’s oppression in the civil war. On May 9, 2011, the EU had adopted targeted sanctions against Syria. The measures were focused on those guilty of violent acts against civilians and included the freezing of assets and travel bans.
As the years went by, economic sanctions undertaken by the EU widened to embargo Syrian crude oil and limit investments in Syria’s oil. They froze assets located within the central bank of Syria that were possessed within the area of the European Union.
