EU removes defence and interior ministries from sanctions lists
The Council of the European Union has removed the Ministries of Defense and Interior in Syria from sanctions lists, as part of the annual review of the European sanctions regime, while renewing the restrictive measures imposed on individuals and entities associated with the former Syrian regime until June 1, 2027.
In a statement published on its website today, the Council explained that 7 Syrian entities have been removed from the list, including the Ministries of Defense and Interior, in a move aimed at strengthening the EU's engagement with Syria during the current phase.
In its statement, the Council recalled that in May 2025, it lifted all economic sanctions imposed on Syria in support of the path of peaceful transition, socio-economic recovery and reconstruction, while retaining sanctions directed against personalities and entities associated with the former Assad regime, in addition to measures of a security nature.
The Council warned that networks linked to the former regime still wield "influence" that could pose a risk to the transition process and impede national reconciliation and accountability efforts, which justified continued restrictions.
Under these measures, those on the list are subject to an asset freeze, EU citizens and companies are prohibited from providing them with any funding, and are subject to a travel ban that prevents them from entering or transiting through EU countries.
EU Council reactivates cooperation agreement with Syria
The European Council on Monday (May 11th) approved the end of the partial suspension of the cooperation agreement between the European Economic Community and Syria, and its full reinforcement, calling the decision "an important step towards strengthening bilateral relations."
The commentary coincided with the opening of the EU-Syria Partnership Coordination Forum in Brussels, which the council said in its statement at the time that it had targeted specific trade items, including restrictions on imports of oil, gold and precious metals, in response to human rights abuses in 2011.
The Council stressed that the reactivation of the agreement comes within a broader European policy to support a peaceful and inclusive transition in Syria, and facilitate social and economic recovery, and the European Commission will formally notify Damascus of the decision to terminate, provided that the provisions in effect will come into effect the month following the notification.
European Commissioner: €355 million in European financial support
During the forum , the European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Choysa, announced that the EU is working on a financial package for Syria worth €175 million, followed by a second package of €180 million during the same year, to support reconstruction efforts and improve basic services.
She explained that European financing will open the door to investments in the public and private sectors, and encourage European banks to return to the Syrian market, in light of Damascus's quest to rebuild and create a suitable environment for the return of refugees, and revealed an international investment conference at the end of the year dedicated to supporting Syria economically.
Shuissa stressed that the Syrian-European meeting constitutes a "historic opportunity", stressing that the reconstruction of Syria requires broad cooperation due to the enormity of the needs, and that Europe is committed to supporting economic and social recovery and building institutions.