On January 27, 2025, EU foreign ministers convened in Brussels and reached a political agreement to gradually suspend certain sanctions against Syria, which have been in place since the onset of the civil war in 2011. The meeting was led by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who emphasized that the roadmap aims to facilitate the country's economic recovery following the recent removal of President Bashar al-Assad.
Kallas stated, 'We have a political decision. We have the roadmap. We have a step-by-step approach,' highlighting the cautious nature of the agreement. While the EU intends to ease sanctions, Kallas warned that the lifting could be reversed if necessary conditions are not met.
The sanctions, imposed in response to the Assad regime's actions during the civil war, have severely impacted Syria's economy. The EU's initial focus will be on sanctions affecting early recovery sectors, such as energy and transportation, while restrictions related to arms and military equipment will remain in place.
During the meeting, discussions also included the situation in the Middle East and transatlantic relations, with no concrete decisions made regarding EU-US relations. Kallas extended an invitation to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to participate in a future EU foreign ministers' meeting.
In a related development, Hungary withdrew its veto against the extension of sanctions on Russia, allowing the EU to proceed with the necessary measures. The discussions also addressed security concerns in the Baltic Sea, where incidents of damage to undersea infrastructure have raised alarms about potential aggression.
The EU's decision to ease sanctions reflects a significant shift in policy, aiming to support Syria's economic development while maintaining a watchful eye on the political situation within the country.