Author: Lily Beyer
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union is considering gradually suspending a number of economic sanctions against Syria as it seeks to support the country’s transition while retaining some influence, according to two internal documents seen by Reuters.
EU foreign ministers are expected to meet in Brussels on January 27 to discuss suspending some sanctions on Syria.
European governments are reassessing Syria policy after a rebel force led by HTS, which the United Nations considers a terrorist organization, ousted President Bashar al-Assad.
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The documents, produced by the EU’s foreign policy arm ahead of the ministerial meeting, outline options to support Syria’s transition and a roadmap for easing sanctions.
“There is broad consensus among EU member states on the need to relax the EU sanctions framework in order to send a positive signal of support to the transition and new authorities,” the proposed roadmap said.
“At the same time, some EU member states are urging caution and maintaining some leverage in the face of new authorities in case things don’t go as expected,” the report states, adding that “a phased approach should be employed. ”.
A political agreement may be announced at the Jan. 27 meeting.
EU sanctions include a ban on oil imports from Syria, a ban on investment in the Syrian oil industry and a freeze on any Syrian central bank assets in the EU.
The proposed roadmap indicates that some existing sanctions, including those related to weapons and entities linked to the Assad regime, will not be suspended.
Options for supporting Syria mentioned in the EU working paper include stepping up humanitarian aid, gradually supporting reconstruction and considering allowing Syrian refugees living in Europe to travel during the transition period.
Six EU member states including Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands earlier this month called on the EU to temporarily suspend sanctions on Syria in areas such as transport, energy and banking.
(Reporting by Lily Beyer; Editing by Barbara Lewis)
