European Union foreign ministers will lift some sanctions on Syria, the bloc’s top diplomat said on Monday, a move intended to give Syria’s new government some economic breathing room after more than a decade of stiff restrictions.
The European Union imposed sweeping trade limitations on Syria when it was under the control of President Bashar al-Assad, but after his ouster in December, it has decided to roll those back in stages.
“Today we reached the political agreement to begin easing sanctions on Syria,” the diplomat, Kaja Kallas, said after the meeting of foreign ministers on Monday. “This could give a boost to the Syrian economy and help the country get back on its feet.”
The goal is to give the Syria’s new government some relief while also allowing time to determine whether the new Syrian power structure under the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham will evolve in a way that is consistent with E.U. values.
“While we aim to move fast, we also are ready to reverse the course if the situation worsens,” Ms. Kallas said.
Sanctions on Syria have included an oil and arms embargo, export and import restrictions on some technology and strict financial limitations. Paring them back is likely to be a delicate process.
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