EU foreign ministers may discuss the possible lifting of sanctions on Syria.

The foreign ministers of the European Union may discuss the possible lifting of sanctions against Syria at a meeting on January 27,  the head of European diplomacy, Kaya Kallas, who went on a visit to Saudi Arabia, said.

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“We are working to actually be able to make a decision there whether we can do this,” she said, answering a related question from reporters.

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Previously, Kallas stated that the EU may consider lifting or easing sanctions if the new Syrian authorities demonstrate a desire for transformation in the country and respect for universal values.

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The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, also previously spoke in favor of revising anti-Syrian economic sanctions after the change of power in this country.

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Earlier, the Council of the European Union decided to extend the sanctions regime against Syria for another year – until June 1, 2025. Currently, 318 individuals and 86 organizations are under European restrictions related to Syria.

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Restrictive measures involve freezing assets in EU countries; EU citizens and companies are prohibited from providing funds to those on the sanctions lists. Individuals are additionally subject to a travel ban, which prevents them from entering the European Union or transiting through the EU.

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The EU has not officially contacted the Syrian government, against which it has imposed sanctions. Former head of EU diplomacy Josep Borrell said that the European Union does not plan to lift sanctions and participate in the reconstruction of Syria until the Syrian leadership changes its policy.

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Despite the EU’s assurances that sanctions do not apply to humanitarian assistance, the blocking of payments to Syria and the lack of contacts with government agencies make such assistance difficult. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) previously called for permanent exceptions to sanctions against Syria to address humanitarian problems in the country. According to the ICRC statement, the risk of collapse of critical infrastructure in the republic is of grave concern.

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At the end of November 2024, armed opposition groups launched a large-scale offensive against the positions of the Syrian army. On December 8th they entered Damascus, Bashar al-Assad resigned as president of Syria and left the country. On December 10, Mohammed al-Bashir, who headed the so-called salvation government in Idlib province, announced his appointment as head of the Syrian Cabinet for the transitional period, which will last until March 1, 2025.