EU Eases Syria Sanctions on Interior, Defense Ministers

(MENAFN) The European Union has agreed to lift sanctions on Syria’s interior and defense ministers as part of what officials described as a broader shift in policy toward Damascus, according to reports from EU foreign policy discussions on Monday.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced the decision after a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels, noting that the move is connected to efforts to reset relations with Syria and support a political transition following years of isolation during the Bashar Assad era.

"We also agreed to lift the sanctions on Syria’s interior and defense ministers," Kallas told reporters following a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, adding that the decision is linked to efforts to reset relations and support political transition in the country after years of suspension under the Bashar Assad era.

Ministers also agreed to fully restore the EU-Syria Cooperation Agreement, which had previously been partially suspended, and to begin a high-level political dialogue with Syrian authorities later the same day.

Kallas also said the EU is preparing to increase security and defense coordination in the Strait of Hormuz amid rising regional tensions, warning that the situation remains unstable following recent developments involving Iran.

She added that EU ministers discussed strengthening the naval mission Aspides, which is aimed at protecting maritime routes and ensuring freedom of navigation, with potential expansion into broader international maritime security efforts.

In addition, foreign ministers reviewed trade-related measures concerning Israeli activities in the occupied West Bank, with several member states calling for stronger actions, according to Kallas.

She said the European Commission will continue evaluating possible policy proposals in response to those discussions.

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