Syria Hails EU’s Move to Lift Sanctions on Several Syrian Institutions

(MENAFN) Syria on Monday embraced a pivotal European Union decision to strip several Syrian government institutions of long-standing sanctions, signaling a tangible shift in Western engagement with the war-torn country as it navigates a fragile political transition.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani was swift to respond, posting his government's reaction on X, the U.S. social media platform owned by Elon Musk.

"We welcome the European Union's decision to lift sanctions on a number of Syrian government entities, including the ministries of interior and defense," al-Shaibani wrote.

The minister also endorsed the bloc's simultaneous decision to maintain pressure on holdovers of the former government, stating: "We also appreciate the renewal of sanctions imposed on figures of the former regime and those involved in crimes against our people."

Damascus signaled its readiness to forge closer ties with Brussels, with Shaibani expressing his country's ambition to deepen cooperation with EU partners "in a way that serves the interests of our people, is based on mutual respect and shared interests, and supports the path of reconstruction."

The EU Council confirmed Monday that restrictive measures targeting individuals and entities linked to the ousted regime of Bashar al-Assad had been extended by one year following the bloc's annual review, with the sanctions now set to remain active until June 1, 2027.

The developments follow a dramatic turning point in the Syrian conflict. In December 2024, Assad — who had governed Syria for nearly 25 years — fled to Russia, collapsing the Baath Party's grip on power that had endured since 1963. A transitional administration subsequently took shape under Ahmad al-Sharaa in January 2025, setting the stage for the country's cautious re-engagement with the international community.

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