EU set to suspend Syria energy, transport sanctions, draft declaration shows

BRUSSELS- The European Union is set to suspend Syria sanctions related to energy, transport and reconstruction, according to a draft declaration seen by Reuters.

EU foreign ministers are expected to discuss Syria at a meeting in Brussels on February 24.

The EU has a range of sanctions in place against both individuals and economic sectors in Syria. European leaders began rethinking their approach afteBashar al-Assad was ousted as president in December.

EU ministers agreed in January on a roadmap to ease sanctions on Syria but left details up for negotiation.

The new draft declaration states that the Council of the EU has decided to suspend a number of restrictive measures “in areas of energy, transport and reconstruction, as well as to facilitate the associated financial and banking transactions”.

The EU will also extend indefinitely a humanitarian exemption to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid, according to the document.