Seven Ministries Off Sanctions List
The Syrian Foreign Ministry on 18 May 2026 welcomed a European Union decision removing restrictive measures from seven Syrian government entities, including the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Defense.
At the same time, the EU renewed sanctions targeting figures of the former government and individuals implicated in violations committed against the Syrian people, drawing a sharp line between the institutions of the post-transition state and those tied to past abuses.
Origin in the 2011 Sanctions
The European Union first imposed sanctions on Syria in 2011 in response to the violent crackdown by the former regime on civilians. The measures expanded over the following years to cover state institutions, security agencies, individuals, and a range of economic sectors.
After the collapse of that regime, the EU Council began rolling back parts of the framework, easing a series of restrictive measures on 24 February 2025 with the stated aim of facilitating engagement with Syria, its people, and its businesses.
Political Decision to Lift Economic Sanctions
The next step came on 20 May 2025, when the Council announced a political decision to lift all economic sanctions, with the exception of those based on security grounds. The shift was described in EU communications as a historic move to support Syria's post-Assad transition.
Monday's decision applies that policy to a specific batch of seven government entities, including ministries central to the day-to-day functioning of the state, while keeping the security-linked listings on a separate track.
Cooperation Agreement Reactivated
On 11 May 2026, the Council fully reinstated the EU-Syria Cooperation Agreement, which had been partially suspended in 2011 over the former government's human rights record. The reactivation provides a renewed legal framework for trade, technical cooperation, and political dialogue between Brussels and Damascus.
Damascus Calls It a Recovery Boost
The Foreign Ministry said the EU decision would help support recovery and reconstruction efforts and strengthen the ability of official institutions to serve citizens and consolidate stability, as part of building a new Syria grounded in law and institutions.
The ministry added that Syria remains committed to continued openness and constructive cooperation with the international community on the basis of mutual respect and the preservation of Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity, in a manner that serves the Syrian people and underpins economic and political recovery.