EU ministers are set to discuss the possibility of easing sanctions on Syria during a meeting later this month.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (NB360) — European Union foreign ministers are set to convene in late January to deliberate on easing sanctions on Syria, as confirmed by the bloc’s foreign policy chief on Sunday. This decision hinges on Syria's new leadership implementing an inclusive political transition following last month’s overthrow of President Bashar Assad.

Kaja Kallas made these remarks during a high-profile meeting of European and Middle Eastern diplomats in Riyadh, focused on Syria’s future.

Saudi Arabia has advocated for lifting the sanctions, which threaten to impede Syria’s recovery from nearly 14 years of civil war that claimed approximately 500,000 lives and displaced half of the country's prewar population of 23 million.

European nations and the United States remain cautious about the Islamist origins of the former insurgents who ousted Assad and who currently lead an interim government.

The former rebels have committed to organizing a national dialogue summit that will involve various groups across Syria to establish a new political roadmap culminating in a new constitution and elections.

Kallas stated that EU foreign ministers will assess sanction relief during a Jan. 27 meeting in Brussels.

“This must be contingent on tangible progress in a political transition that represents all of Syria’s diversity,” she declared in a post on the social media platform X, also sharing a photo of her meeting with the new Syrian foreign minister, Asaad al-Shibani, at the gathering.

Germany calls for a ‘smart approach’ to sanctions

The U.S., the EU, and several Arab countries began imposing sanctions on Syria following Assad’s harsh crackdown on the 2011 uprising against his regime, intensifying them as the conflict escalated into war.

Some sanctions target individuals in Assad’s government, including asset freezes, while many are aimed at the government at large, encompassing bans on financial and banking activities, oil purchases, and investment or trade in certain sectors, crippling the broader Syrian economy.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock insisted that sanctions against “Assad’s henchmen who committed serious crimes” must remain.

However, she advocated for “a smart approach to sanctions, offering rapid relief to the Syrian population. Syrians now require swift benefits from the power transition.” While she did not provide details, she announced an additional 50 million euros ($51.2 million) in German aid for food, emergency shelters, and medical care.

At the assembly, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan emphasized that international and unilateral sanctions on Syria should be lifted.

Continuing them “will obstruct the aspirations of the brotherly Syrian people to achieve development and reconstruction,” he stated, commending the interim Syrian government’s steps, including commitments to initiate a political process “that encompasses various components” of the Syrian populace.

Turkey advocates for ‘balance’ in international demands of Syria

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan affirmed that Turkey, a staunch supporter of the Syrian opposition to Assad, intends to assist Syria in normalizing its international relations.

He emphasized the importance of establishing a “balance between the international community’s expectations and the realities faced by Syria’s new administration.”

He pledged Turkish support to the new government, particularly in combating threats from the Islamic State group.

“Turkey stands ready to contribute to easing the challenging path ahead for the Syrian people,” he remarked in comments reported by Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency.

Washington has relaxed some restrictions

Last week, Washington relaxed certain restrictions on Syria, with the U.S. Treasury issuing a general license, valid for six months, that permits certain transactions with the Syrian government, including some energy sales and incidental transactions.

The U.S. has also withdrawn a $10 million bounty previously offered for the capture of Ahmad al-Sharaa, a Syrian rebel leader formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, whose forces led the recent ousting of Assad. Al-Sharaa, once a senior al-Qaida militant who severed ties with the group years ago, has pledged a Syria that is inclusive and respects the rights of religious minorities.

The rebels orchestrated a swift insurgency that deposed Assad on Dec. 8, ending his family’s decades-long rule.

The international community cut ties with Assad and imposed sanctions on his government — and its Russian and Iranian allies — over alleged war crimes and the production of the amphetamine-like stimulant Captagon, reportedly generating billions of dollars as packages of the pills were smuggled across Syria’s porous borders.

With Assad no longer in power, Syria’s new authorities are hopeful that the international community will invest in rebuilding the country’s damaged infrastructure and restoring its economic viability.