In brief
The EU is preparing a phased approach to lift restrictions, marking a significant shift in its policy toward Syria.
The European Union (E.U.) is set to discuss lifting some economic sanctions on Syria, according to Kaja Kallas, the bloc's chief diplomat. The discussion occurs during a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels, focusing on a "road map" to gradually ease restrictions that have been in place for over a decade. Since President Bashar al-Assad's ousting in December, the E.U. hopes to support the newly established government by allowing more financial freedom.Kallas stated, "We are ready to open our embassy in Damascus to monitor the situation closely." The sanctions have previously included bans on oil and arms, as well as restrictions on technology imports and exports. The goal now is to relieve pressure on Syria's economy while assessing the direction of the new governance structure, primarily under the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham."We'll start with the sanctions they need most for rebuilding the country and monitor the situation from there," added Kallas. This potential policy shift is seen as a cautious step toward increasing engagement with Syria amid its complex political landscape.
