EU to suspend Syria sanctions amid post-Assad reconstruction efforts
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The European Union is set to lift sanctions on Syria’s banking, energy, and transport sectors starting Monday, diplomats confirmed, marking a significant shift in policy aimed at aiding the country’s reconstruction following the ouster of Bashar Assad.
Syria’s new leadership has been pressing Western nations to ease the sanctions imposed during the civil war, which targeted Assad’s regime.
However, the EU and other global powers have remained cautious, awaiting clear commitments from the Islamist-led government in Damascus regarding an inclusive transition.
The suspension of sanctions, expected to be formally approved at an EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels, follows a preliminary agreement reached last month. However, diplomats have emphasized that the restrictions could be swiftly reimposed if Syria’s new rulers fail to uphold promises on minority rights and democratic reforms.
On Thursday, the United Nations highlighted the devastating impact of the civil war on Syria’s economy, stating that, at current growth rates, it could take over 50 years for the country to return to its pre-war economic standing.
Years of international sanctions, coupled with the destruction of key infrastructure, have left Syria’s economy in ruins.
With Assad’s departure, international players, including the EU, are vying for influence in Syria, which had long been supported by Russia and Iran.
The suspension of sanctions marks a significant step in the country’s transition, though concerns remain over the new leadership’s commitment to democratic governance and stability.
