Tue May 20 18:20:52 UTC 2025: ## EU Lifts Economic Sanctions on Syria Following Assad Ouster

**Brussels – May 20, 2025** – The European Union has agreed to lift all economic sanctions on Syria, effective today, in a move aimed at supporting the war-torn country’s recovery. The decision follows a similar announcement last week by U.S. President Donald Trump, signalling a coordinated international effort to aid Syria’s reconstruction after the removal of Bashar al-Assad.

EU ambassadors reached a preliminary agreement earlier today, with the formal announcement expected later from Foreign Ministers meeting in Brussels. The decision will see sanctions that previously isolated Syrian banks from the global financial system and froze central bank assets lifted.

Syria’s new leadership has actively sought relief from the severe international sanctions imposed in response to Assad’s violent suppression of dissent, which escalated into a protracted civil war.

However, while easing broad economic pressure, the EU plans to impose targeted sanctions on individuals deemed responsible for inciting ethnic violence, particularly following recent deadly attacks against the Alawite minority. Existing restrictions on the sale of weapons and equipment that could be used for civilian repression will also remain in place.

This action builds on a February move by the EU to partially suspend sanctions on key Syrian economic sectors. EU officials have warned that these sanctions could be reinstated if Syria’s new government fails to uphold promises to protect minority rights and progress towards democratic governance.

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