EU suspends select Syria sanctions to encourage democratic development

The European Union has announced the lifting of some sanctions against Syria, aiming to support the country's democratic development during its political transition. This move is seen as an encouragement to the new Syrian leadership, with the hope that it will promote necessary reforms and foster a more inclusive political landscape.

The EU announced on Monday that it would immediately suspend restrictions on the oil, natural gas, and electricity sectors, as well as sanctions on the transport sector, including aviation. Simultaneously, the EU restored the possibility of providing funds and specific economic resources to five banks and relaxed restrictions on the export of luxury goods for personal use to Syria.

Nevertheless, the EU also warned that this decision could be reversed if Syria's de facto leaders fail to implement the anticipated reforms. The EU maintains extensive sanctions on Syria's entire economic sector and on individuals, which were implemented during the rule of former President Bashar al-Assad, indicating a cautious approach to the evolving situation.

Syria's new leadership has called on Western countries to ease restrictions to help Syria recover from years of authoritarian rule and civil war. The EU stated that its foreign ministers decided to suspend some sanctions in order to "support an inclusive political transition in Syria, as well as its rapid economic recovery, reconstruction, and stabilization," signaling a commitment to fostering positive change in the region.

Ahmed Shala, leader of the Syrian "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham" (HTS), was appointed as the transitional president last month. The new Syrian authorities are expected to begin holding a national dialogue conference on Tuesday to discuss the country's new path of development. Geir Pedersen, the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, stated that forming a "new inclusive government" by March 1st could help determine whether to lift more Western sanctions, highlighting the importance of inclusive governance in securing further international support.