EU to Start Lifting Sanctions on Syria

The European Union plans to lift some of the sanctions imposed on Syria in 2012, but has cautioned that this decision might 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 is prepared to act swiftly but retains the right to review the decision if Syria’s new authorities make missteps.

Kallas did not specify which particular sanctions would be lifted initially. However, according to Reuters, the discussion may involve lifting restrictions on airlines, including the state-run Syrian Arab Airlines, and reconsidering the ban on Syrian oil exports.

Sanctions against Syria began in 2012, when the conflict between Bashar al-Assad's government and rebel groups escalated into a civil war. Most of the restrictions target the country's state and military structures.