EU to Begin Lifting Sanctions Against Syria

The European Union plans to lift some of the sanctions imposed on Syria in 2012 but has cautioned that the decision may be reconsidered, reports NewsBox.  

The EU intends to remove sanctions that were implemented against Syria following the onset of the civil war. This was announced by the head of European diplomacy, Kaja Kallas. According to her, the EU aims to act swiftly, but reserves the right to revisit the decision should the new Syrian authorities make mistakes.

Kallas did not specify which sanctions might be lifted first. However, according to Reuters, the discussion could involve lifting restrictions on airlines, including the state-owned Syrian Arab Airlines, as well as reviewing the ban on exporting Syrian oil.

Sanctions against Syria began to be implemented in 2012, as the conflict between Bashar al-Assad's government and rebel groups escalated into a civil war. Most of the restrictions are targeted at the country's government and military structures.