European Union Suspends Energy and Transportation Sanctions on Syria

A draft statement from the European Union, which Reuters reports it has obtained, indicates that the EU intends to suspend sanctions against Syria in the areas of energy, transportation, and reconstruction. According to Reuters, EU foreign ministers are expected to discuss Syria in a meeting held in Brussels on Monday, February 25. The EU has imposed extensive sanctions against individuals and various sectors of the Syrian economy, but European leaders are reviewing their policy towards Damascus as they seek the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's government by Syrian rebels led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Last month, EU member states' foreign ministers agreed on a roadmap for lifting sanctions on Syria, but the details were postponed for future negotiations. The draft statement from the EU indicates that the Council of the EU has decided to suspend a number of restrictive measures 'in the areas of energy, transportation, and reconstruction' and also intends to facilitate 'banking and economic transfers' for Syria. According to this document, the EU will also indefinitely extend the necessary exemptions to facilitate humanitarian aid deliveries to Syria. The document adds that the Council of Europe will gradually assess in subsequent steps whether further restrictive measures can be suspended. Ahmad al-Shara, the interim president of Syria, has stated that his government intends to revive relations with the United States to lift Washington's sanctions against Damascus. He described these sanctions, which are still in effect, as 'the greatest threat' to Syria.