The European Union is set to gradually lift sanctions from Syria on a conditional basis that could be reversed “if wrong steps are taken” by the new Syrian authorities, amid growing calls to economically assist the war-torn country following the collapse of the Assad regime.
At an EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in the Belgian capital, Brussels, on Monday, the bloc’s foreign ministers agreed in principle to begin gradually easing long-held sanctions on Syria, with the aim of supporting the country’s economic recovery.
Although the ‘roadmap’ for the sanctions relief has not been revealed and is yet to be further developed and revealed in coming weeks, it is reported to include the lifting of sanctions on financial institutions and the energy and transport sectors. It will also be carried out in stages rather than all at once.
Following the meeting’s decision, the EU’s top diplomat and Foreign Policy chief, Kaja Kallas, stressed that the easing of the measures will be entirely conditional upon the performance and compliance of the new Syrian government. “While we aim to move fast, the lifting of sanctions can be reversed if wrong steps are taken,” she was quoted as saying.
According to the outlet, Politico, France’s Foreign Minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, said prior to the meeting that the requirements to maintain the sanctions relief include launching “a political transition which includes all Syrians”, combating “any resurgence of ISIS [Daesh]”, and ensuring “the control and destruction of all stocks of chemical weapons” that were held by the Assad regime.