EU Eases Some Sanctions on New Damascus Administration

brussels, belgium - The European Union takes a step towards the new administration in Damascus by suspending some restrictions on Syria.

EU Eases Some Sanctions on New Damascus Administration

The European Union, reevaluating its Syria policy following the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime and adopting a 'step-by-step' approach, took its first concrete step towards the new government in Damascus yesterday. EU foreign ministers, meeting in Brussels, suspended some restrictions on Syria. Focus was put on easing restrictions in the energy, transportation, finance, and banking sectors. The EU suspended some measures in the energy sector, including oil, gas, and electricity. A similar approach was adopted for the transportation sector. Industrial Bank, Popular Credit Bank, Savings Bank, Agricultural Cooperative Bank, and Syrian Arab Airlines were removed from the list of frozen assets and economic resources. Approval was also given for the use of funds and economic resources by the Central Bank of Syria. The EU will continue to closely monitor the new Syrian administration. Suspension steps will continue in case of positive developments, otherwise a reversal may be considered. Brussels, which maintains sanctions on Bashar al-Assad and his associates, did not make any changes to the arms embargo on the country.