The EU Council announced that it has decided today to suspend some of the sanctions previously imposed on Syria. This decision is part of the EU's efforts to support the country's transition and promote its economic recovery, the official statement said, BTA reports.
Today's measure ends sanctions in the energy and transport sectors, with several banks - Industrial Bank, Popular Credit Bank, Saving Bank and Agricultural Cooperative Bank - removed from the asset freeze list. In addition, the Syrian Central Bank is allowed access to funds, and Syrian Arab Airlines is removed from the sanctions list.
In addition, the EU introduces exceptions to the ban on establishing links between Syrian banks and financial institutions in member states. Transactions in the energy and transport sectors, as well as for humanitarian purposes, are allowed. The export of luxury goods for personal use to Syria is also allowed.
The EU Council specified that a further assessment of the possibility of lifting further sanctions is pending. However, sanctions related to the regime of former President Bashar al-Assad, as well as measures against chemical weapons, drug trafficking, arms, dual-use goods and surveillance technologies, remain in force.
"The fall of the Assad regime marks the beginning of a new era of hope for the Syrian people. All Syrians must have the opportunity to participate in the reconstruction of their country," the official statement said.