The European Union is considering lifting certain sanctions in Syria to improve humanitarian aid delivery and support recovery efforts, following the U.S.'s recent sanctions exemptions to ease assistance after Bashar al-Assad's rule.
European Union sanctions in Syria that impact humanitarian aid delivery and hinder recovery efforts could soon be lifted, France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Wednesday.
Speaking to France Inter radio, Barrot suggested that the EU may follow the United States, which recently issued a six-month sanctions exemption to ease humanitarian assistance after the end of Bashar al-Assad’s rule.
"There are other (sanctions), which today hinder access to humanitarian aid, which hinder the recovery of the country. These could be lifted quickly," Barrot said. He also indicated that lifting broader political sanctions would depend on Syria’s leadership during the transition period.
Three European diplomats, speaking anonymously, stated that the EU may agree on easing some sanctions ahead of a meeting of the bloc’s foreign ministers in Brussels on 27 January. Measures under discussion include facilitating financial transactions, improving air transport, and lessening energy-related sanctions to boost power supplies.
Syria currently experiences severe power shortages, with electricity available for only two to three hours daily. The caretaker government plans to increase this to eight hours within two months.
The U.S. waivers, effective until 7 July, allow limited energy transactions and personal remittances but do not remove existing sanctions.
EU Council has extended the restrictive measures targeting those responsible for undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine for another six months, until 15 September 2025.
The Council of the European Union has decided today to suspend a number of restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria, with the aim to support an inclusive political transition in Syria, and its swift economic recovery, reconstruction, and stabilisation.
EU envoys on Wednesday agreed on a 16th package of sanctions against Russia, EU diplomats said, including a ban on primary aluminium imports, sales of gaming consoles and the listing of 73 shadow fleet vessels.
Russia and Ukraine accused each other of new infrastructure attacks, despite a 30-day ceasefire agreed by President Vladimir Putin. Kyiv reported heavy drone strikes, while Moscow claimed to have intercepted Ukrainian drones. The tensions follow a call between Putin and Donald Trump on the conflict.
Israel’s far-right politician and leader of the Otzma Yehudit party, Itamar Ben-Gvir, is set to return to Benjamin Netanyahu’s government amid an intensification of the war in the Gaza Strip.
Germany plans to release an additional 3 billion euros in military aid for Ukraine, marking a breakthrough after Chancellor Olaf Scholz had previously blocked the funds over borrowing rule concerns.
China has appointed Li Xiaolong as vice minister of the Ministry of Housing and the Human Resources Ministry, tasked with overseeing key policies in housing and workforce management.
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Regarding the Armenia-Azerbaijan process, we cannot forget the years of occupation, and we will not forget them, President Ilham Aliyev said in his speech at the opening ceremony of the 12th Global Baku Forum.
President Donald Trump has vowed to respond to the European Union's counter-tariffs, escalating tensions over the U.S. steel and aluminum duties that have sparked a trade dispute between the two economic powers.
Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed on Tuesday to a proposal by U.S. President Donald Trump that Russia and Ukraine cease attacking each other's energy infrastructure for 30 days, the Kremlin said following a lengthy phone discussion between the leaders.
Germany plans to release an additional 3 billion euros in military aid for Ukraine, marking a breakthrough after Chancellor Olaf Scholz had previously blocked the funds over borrowing rule concerns.
China has appointed Li Xiaolong as vice minister of the Ministry of Housing and the Human Resources Ministry, tasked with overseeing key policies in housing and workforce management.
This Sunday, March 23, negotiations will take place between the US and Russia regarding the details of a ceasefire in Ukraine.
Anti-government protests erupted outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, with demonstrators calling for his resignation after his announcement to oust the head of internal security, joined by relatives of hostages worried about their loved ones' fate.
Russia and Ukraine accused each other of new infrastructure attacks, despite a 30-day ceasefire agreed by President Vladimir Putin. Kyiv reported heavy drone strikes, while Moscow claimed to have intercepted Ukrainian drones. The tensions follow a call between Putin and Donald Trump on the conflict.
Israel’s far-right politician and leader of the Otzma Yehudit party, Itamar Ben-Gvir, is set to return to Benjamin Netanyahu’s government amid an intensification of the war in the Gaza Strip.
Germany plans to release an additional 3 billion euros in military aid for Ukraine, marking a breakthrough after Chancellor Olaf Scholz had previously blocked the funds over borrowing rule concerns.
China has appointed Li Xiaolong as vice minister of the Ministry of Housing and the Human Resources Ministry, tasked with overseeing key policies in housing and workforce management.
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