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Syria: EU adopts legal acts to lift economic sanctions on Syria, enacting recent political agreement

28.05.2025 PRESS AND INFORMATION TEAM OF THE DELEGATION TO TÜRKİYE

The Council has adopted legal acts lifting all economic restrictive measures on Syria, with the exception of those based on security grounds. The adoption formalises the political decision announced on 20 May 2025, and aims at supporting the Syrian people in reuniting and rebuilding a new, inclusive, pluralistic and peaceful Syria.

As part of the same approach, the Council has also removed 24 entities from the EU list of those subject to the freezing of funds and economic resources. Several of these entities are banks, including the Central Bank of Syria, or companies operating in key sectors for Syria’s economic recovery -such as oil production and refining, cotton, and telecommunications- while others are media and tv outlets.

This decision is simply the right thing to do, at this historic time, for the EU to genuinely support Syria’s recovery and a political transition that fulfils the aspirations of all Syrians. The EU has stood with the Syrian people throughout the last 14 years, and it will continue to do so. Today the EU reaffirms its commitment as a partner for the transition, one that helps the Syrian people to reunite and rebuild a new, inclusive, peaceful Syria.

Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and President of the Foreign Affairs Council

In line with its call for accountability and its support to a peaceful transition, the Council has extended the listings of individuals and entities linked to the Assad regime until 1 June 2026.

In addition, in relation to the wave of violence that took place in Syria’s coastal region in March 2025, the Council has introduced new restrictive measures under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, targeting two individuals and three entities for serious human rights abuses.

The Council will continue monitoring developments on the ground and stands ready to introduce further restrictive measures against human rights violators and those fueling instability in Syria.

The legal acts will soon be published in the Official Journal.

Background

The EU has stood with the Syrian people throughout the last 14 years, engaging in the search for a political solution and leading financial assistance.

Following the fall of this regime, the Council on 24 February 2025 eased a number of EU restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria in order to facilitate engagement with the country, its people and businesses.

On 20 May 2025, the Council affirmed its continued commitment to supporting the Syrian people and the peaceful transition by announcing the political decision to lift economic sanctions, marking a historic shift toward aiding Syria’s transition and recovery following the fall of the Assad regime.

The EU has continued to reaffirm its longstanding commitment to accountability, dating back to the crimes of the Assad regime, and monitored developments on the ground, including the steps undertaken by the transitional authorities following recent violence outbreaks. The EU has also consistently expressed its readiness to engaging with Syria’s transitional government and supporting a peaceful, inclusive future free from harmful foreign interference.

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