Syria: EU adopts legal acts to lift economic sanctions on Syria, enacting recent political agreement

The Council has adopted legal acts lifting all economic restrictive measures on Syria, with the exception of those based on security grounds. The adoption formalises the political decision announced on 20 May 2025, and aims at supporting the Syrian people in reuniting and rebuilding a new, inclusive, pluralistic and peaceful Syria.

As part of the same approach, the Council has also removed 24 entities from the EU list of those subject to the freezing of funds and economic resources. Several of these entities are banks, including the Central Bank of Syria, or companies operating in key sectors for Syria’s economic recovery -such as oil production and refining, cotton, and telecommunications- while others are media and tv outlets.

This decision is simply the right thing to do, at this historic time, for the EU to genuinely support Syria’s recovery and a political transition that fulfils the aspirations of all Syrians. The EU has stood with the Syrian people throughout the last 14 years, and it will continue to do so. Today the EU reaffirms its commitment as a partner for the transition, one that helps the Syrian people to reunite and rebuild a new, inclusive, peaceful Syria.

Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and President of the Foreign Affairs Council

In line with its call for accountability and its support to a peaceful transition, the Council has extended the listings of individuals and entities linked to the Assad regime until 1 June 2026.

In addition, in relation to the wave of violence that took place in Syria’s coastal region in March 2025, the Council has introduced new restrictive measures under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, targeting two individuals and three entities for serious human rights abuses.

The Council will continue monitoring developments on the ground and stands ready to introduce further restrictive measures against human rights violators and those fueling instability in Syria.

The legal acts will soon be published in the Official Journal.

Background

The EU has stood with the Syrian people throughout the last 14 years, engaging in the search for a political solution and leading financial assistance.

Following the fall of this regime, the Council on 24 February 2025 eased a number of EU restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria in order to facilitate engagement with the country, its people and businesses.

On 20 May 2025, the Council affirmed its continued commitment to supporting the Syrian people and the peaceful transition by announcing the political decision to lift economic sanctions, marking a historic shift toward aiding Syria’s transition and recovery following the fall of the Assad regime.

The EU has continued to reaffirm its longstanding commitment to accountability, dating back to the crimes of the Assad regime, and monitored developments on the ground, including the steps undertaken by the transitional authorities following recent violence outbreaks. The EU has also consistently expressed its readiness to engaging with Syria’s transitional government and supporting a peaceful, inclusive future free from harmful foreign interference.

Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/1110 of 28 May 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999 concerning restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abuses (including a list of the individuals and entities sanctioned today)

Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1111 of 28 May 2025 implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1998 concerning restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abuses (including a list of the individuals and entities sanctioned today)

Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/1096 of 27 May 2025 amending Decision 2013/255/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria

Council Implementing Decision (CFSP) 2025/1095 of 27 May 2025 implementing Decision 2013/255/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria

Council Regulation (EU) 2025/1098 of 27 May 2025 amending Regulation (EU) No 36/2012 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria

Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1094 of 27 May 2025 implementing Regulation (EU) No 36/2012 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria

Syria: Council statement on the lifting of EU economic sanctions, 20 May 2025

Syria: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the recent wave of violence, 11 March 2025

Syria: EU suspends restrictive measures on key economic sectors, 24 February 2025

Syria (background information)

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بيان صحفي من مجلس الاتحاد الأوروبي بتبني الأعمال القانونية لرفع جميع العقوبات الاقتصادية عن سورية باستثناء ما يقوم على أسس أمنية، وشطب 24 كيانًا منها مصرف سورية المركزي.