EU to remove Syrian president from sanctions

The European Union will formally remove Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Khattab from its sanctions list in the coming days, aligning with a recent United Nations Security Council resolution. European Commission spokesperson Anouar El Anouni confirmed the impending action during a press briefing in Brussels, stating the bloc “takes note” of the UN decision that will soon be “transposed at the EU level.”

This development represents the latest step in the EU’s evolving approach to Syria, following its decision last May to lift all economic sanctions against the country. El Anouni characterized the earlier sanctions removal as evidence of European efforts to support “an inclusive political transition in Syria as well as its swift social and economic recovery, reconstruction and stabilization.” The spokesperson reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to backing a “peaceful and inclusive Syrian-led and Syrian-owned transition.”

Despite the delisting of specific individuals and the broader lifting of economic measures, certain restrictions tied to security concerns remain active. The EU maintains arms-related embargoes and other measures justified on security grounds, indicating a calibrated approach that distinguishes between economic engagement and military non-proliferation objectives in the genocide-affected nation.

The UN Security Council adopted the US-drafted resolution to remove the Syrian officials from sanctions with 14 votes in favor and China abstaining. This international consensus, coupled with the EU’s rapid implementation timeline, signals a significant diplomatic rehabilitation for Damascus and reflects shifting geopolitical dynamics regarding Syria’s status within the international community.