French Foreign Minister Announces Lifting of Some Sanctions on Syria

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot announced his country’s decision to lift some of the sanctions imposed on Syria, while the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and security of the European Union Kaja Kallas said that she expects a political decision to be taken and a roadmap on easing sanctions on sectors that will pave the way for reconstruction.

“We have decided to lift some sanctions on Syria related to the energy sectors, transport and financial institutions, as they are hindering today the economic stability of the country and the start of the reconstruction process,” Reuters quoted Barrot as saying in press statements ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels today.

He added: “There are other sanctions that we are discussing with our European partners and they can be lifted, but it depends on how quickly our expectations for Syria are taken,” he said. “In return, the sanctions should be suspended to ensure a comprehensive political transition for all Syrians,” he stressed. For her part, Kallas said, “We really expect that the sanctions will be eased, and we expect that we will make a decision on this today”.

She added that if the Damascus government takes the right steps, the union is ready to take the appropriate steps, noting that the union is closely following the situation in Syria, and adopts a “step-by-step” approach to it.

Kallas stressed that the reconstruction of Syria will begin with the easing of sanctions on the necessary sectors. She also announced the readiness of the European Union to open its mission in the capital Damascus with its full staff.