The Commission welcomes the Council’s decision to suspend a number of restrictive measures in view of the situation in Syria. With this decision the EU aims to facilitate engagement with the country, its people and businesses, in key areas such as   energy and transport. Today’s measures will also allow for financial and banking transactions associated with these sectors, as well as humanitarian and reconstruction purposes. In addition, the Council decided to extend indefinitely the humanitarian exemption to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid in the country. This decision is part of the EU’s efforts to support an inclusive political transition in Syria, as well as swift economic recovery, reconstruction, and stability. The EU has adopted a staged and reversible approach to the suspension of restrictive measures, as part of EU’s efforts to support a peaceful and inclusive transition.

At the same time, the EU maintained listings related to the Assad regime, the chemical weapons sector, and illicit drug trade. A number of sectoral measures relating to trade in arms, equipment for internal repression, software for interception and surveillance, and the import or export of Syrian cultural heritage goods will also be maintained. Following up on today’s decision, the EU will assess whether further economic sanctions could be suspended. The Commission and EEAS will closely follow the developments in the country, with a view to assessing whether suspensions remain appropriate. The EU has long stood with Syrians inside Syria and in the neighboring countries mobilizing 35.3 billion EUR since 2011, and remaining, to date, the largest provider of international aid for the Syrian people and their host communities. In this moment of transition and hope, the Commission continues to stand ready to support the Syrian people.