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EU delists Syrian ministries
The European Union removed Syria’s Ministries of Defense and Interior from its sanctions lists on Monday, while extending restrictive measures on individuals and entities linked to the former regime until June 1, 2027.
“remove seven entities from the sanctions list, which include the Ministries of Defence and Interior”
The Council of the European Union said it delisted seven Syrian entities, “among them the two ministries,” and described the move as intended to support the EU’s renewed engagement with Syria and to help advance the country’s transition and recovery.
The Council said it had already lifted all economic sanctions on Syria in May 2025, while preserving targeted measures against figures associated with the former regime and sanctions tied to security concerns.
The EU said networks connected to the former regime continue to wield influence and could still threaten the transition and national reconciliation, justifying sanctions on individuals and entities deemed to pose such risks.
Damascus welcomes, EU cautions
Syria welcomed the EU decision to lift sanctions on seven Syrian government entities, including the ministries of interior and defence, with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al Shaibani writing on X that “We welcome the European Union’s decision to lift sanctions on a number of Syrian government entities, including the ministries of interior and defence,”.
The European Council said the delisting was paired with continued restrictive measures, warning that “networks linked to the former Assad regime continue to retain influence and pose a risk of undermining the transition process and hindering efforts toward national reconciliation and accountability.”
The Syrian Foreign Ministry said the European step “will contribute to supporting recovery and reconstruction efforts, and strengthening the ability of Syrian institutions to carry out their duties in serving citizens and consolidating security and stability.”
The Council also reiterated that those designated remain subject to asset freezes and travel bans, with EU citizens and companies prohibited from making funds available to them.
Sanctions framework and next steps
The Council said the EU’s restrictive measures were prolonged following its annual review of the sanctions regime, and it set the end date for the renewed measures as “until 1 June 2027.”
“until 1 June 2027”
In parallel with the delisting, the Council said the EU lifted all economic sanctions on Syria in May 2025 to support the country’s “peaceful and inclusive transition, socio-economic recovery, and reconstruction,” while keeping targeted restrictive measures against individuals and entities linked to the former al-Assad regime.
The European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica confirmed that the EU is working to implement a financial package estimated at 175 million euros, in addition to providing a second package worth 180 million euros during the current year, as part of support for reconstruction and recovery.
Šuica said an investment conference would be organized at the end of the current year to support Syria and the return of refugees, and she described the Syrian European meeting as a “historic opportunity,” while linking recovery to “building the future and achieving resilience to instill hope in Syrians.”
