Commission welcomes the suspension of restrictive measures on Syrian key economic sectors

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.

The Commission welcomes the Council’s decision to suspend a number of restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria. With this decision the EU aims to facilitate engagement with the country, its people and businesses, in key areas such as   energy and transport. Today’s measures will also allow for financial and banking transactions associated with these sectors, as well as humanitarian and reconstruction purposes.

In addition, the Council decided to extend indefinitely the humanitarian exemption to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid in the country. This decision is part of the EU’s efforts to support an inclusive political transition in Syria, as well as swift economic recovery, reconstruction, and stability. The EU has adopted a staged and reversible approach to the suspension of restrictive measures, as part of EU’s efforts to support a peaceful and inclusive transition.

At the same time, the EU maintained listings related to the Assad regime, the chemical weapons sector, and illicit drug trade. A number of sectoral measures relating to trade in arms, equipment for internal repression, software for interception and surveillance, and the import or export of Syrian cultural heritage goods will also be maintained.

Following up on today’s decision, the EU will assess whether further economic sanctions could be suspended. The Commission and EEAS will closely follow the developments in the country, with a view to assessing whether suspensions remain appropriate.

The EU has long stood with Syrians inside Syria and in the neighboring countries mobilizing 35.3 billion EUR since 2011, and remaining, to date, the largest provider of international aid for the Syrian people and their host communities.

In this moment of transition and hope, the Commission continues to stand ready to support the Syrian people. The EU highlights the importance of an inclusive, Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people.  All Syrians, in the country and diaspora, should have the opportunity to participate in the rebuilding of their country.

The EU will convene its ninth international Conference in support of Syria  in Brussels. The Ministerial event will aim to mobilise the international community in support of a Syrian-owned, inclusive transition and of much needed assistance to the Syrian people. For the first time, Syrian interim authorities have been invited, together with the United Nations, Syria’s neighbouring states and other regional partners. 

Background

EU sanctions regarding Syria were introduced in 2011 in response to the violent repression against the civilian population in Syria by the Assad regime.  EU restrictive measures regarding Syria targeted the regime and its supporters, as well as sectors of the economy from which the regime profited.

After the fall of the Assad regime, and guided by European Council conclusions of 19 December 2024, the EU is in particular considering the steps taken by Syria for an inclusive transition in line with the declarations of the transitional authorities, including accountability for the Assad regime’s crimes, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Syrians, without distinction of any kind, respect for the rule of law, and for international law, including the sovereign rights of EU Member States.

For More Information

Link to Official Journal (legal texts will be available tomorrow)

More information on sanctions