The Supreme Representative of the European Union (EU) for foreign affairs and security policy Kaya Kallas announced the decision to cancel economic sanctions against Syria.
“Today we decided to cancel economic sanctions against Syria,” Kallas said after a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels in her publication posted on a social network.
“We want to help the Syrian people build a new, inclusive and peaceful Syria. The EU will continue to support the Syrian people,” she said.
EU sanctions against Syria
EU sanctions against Syria were introduced in May 2011, after the outbreak of the Civil War in this Arab country ..
Individual restrictive measures, such as a ban on traveling and freezing assets, were adopted in relation to people related to the regime and considered responsible for violations of human rights. The list included critical figures from the near circle of regime, from Bashar Assad to ministers.
In addition, the EU introduced sectoral sanctions against Syria, aimed at the industry, which are the basis of the financial network of the regime. Within the framework of these measures, the import of raw oil and oil products, export of goods that can be used both for military and civil purposes, as well as some types of communication equipment, were limited. The sanctions also applied to financing some initiatives and infrastructure projects.
The European Union took the first step in this direction after the overthrow of the regime on February 24, announcing the decision to “suspend” sanctions against Syria, aimed at sectors such as banking, energy and transport.
EU representatives emphasize that decisions on the abolition of sanctions are reversible and close observation is underway in the country.