People gather outside the Commercial Bank of Syria, after U.S. President Donald Trump said he would order the lifting of sanctions on Syria, in Damascus, Syria May 14, 2025. (Credit: Yamam al Shaar/Reuters)
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Tuesday that she hoped ministers gathering in Brussels would reach an agreement on lifting economic sanctions on Syria.
"On Syria, I hope that we will agree on the lifting of economic sanctions today," Kallas told reporters ahead of the meeting, warning that Europe either gives Syria the opportunity to stabilize or risks ending up with a situation like in Afghanistan.
Ministers are considering a political decision to lift economic sanctions while maintaining sanctions related to the regime of ousted president Bashar al-Assad and introducing measures against human rights violators, officials said.
Ambassadors reached a preliminary deal early Tuesday on the political agreement to lift economic sanctions, diplomats said, noting that the final decision is up to ministers.
"It is clear that we want there to be jobs and livelihoods for the people [in Syria], so that it would be a more stable country," Kallas said.
The EU's policy shift comes after U.S. President Donald Trump said last week he would order the lifting of sanctions on Syria.
The EU has already eased sanctions related to energy, transport and reconstruction, as well as associated financial transactions, but some capitals have argued that the measures were insufficient to help support Syria’s political transition and economic recovery.