EU official proposes further easing of sanctions on Syria

A document showed that EU foreign policy chief Kaya Kallas has proposed further easing of EU sanctions on Syria to allow funding for "two Syrian ministries" working in areas including reconstruction and migration.

This move comes after US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he would order the lifting of sanctions on Syria.

EU foreign ministers are expected to discuss relations with Syria at a meeting in Brussels next week.

The EU has already eased sanctions related to energy, transport, reconstruction, and related financial transactions, but some member states have pushed for further easing of sanctions.

French President Emmanuel Macron said this month after hosting Damascus President Ahmad al-Sharaa that he would push for the EU to end sanctions when they are due for renewal.

The bulk of the sanctions imposed since 2013 are renewed annually on June

The document revealed that under the new proposal, dated May 14, the EU would "allow member states to provide funding to the Syrian defense and interior ministries for cooperation in the areas of reconstruction, capacity building, counterterrorism, and migration."

A special clause would give EU countries more room to maneuver in dealing with Syrian state-owned entities when it comes to the destruction of chemical weapons.

The new proposal calls for lifting sanctions on the Commercial Bank of Syria and continuing measures targeting individuals associated with the former Assad administration.

Three diplomats said officials are also discussing lifting sanctions on the Central Bank of Syria.

Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Austria circulated a joint document, seen by Reuters, calling for the lifting of sanctions on the Central Bank of Syria and financial institutions.

The four countries said in the document, "The goal is to allow greater scope for social and economic recovery."

T/S

ANHA