The European Union decided Monday to continue sanctions against people and organizations connected to former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s administration for an additional year, but simultaneously removed seven government bodies from its restricted list as part of broader policy changes toward Damascus.
The restrictive measures will now remain in effect until June 1, 2027, according to an announcement from the European Council following the organization’s yearly assessment of its Syria sanctions policy.
Individuals and entities still on the list face frozen assets and restrictions on travel, while European Union citizens and businesses cannot provide financial resources to them.
The European Union stated that removing the seven entities from sanctions was designed to help “the strengthening of the EU’s engagement with Syria” after Assad’s government fell in late 2024 and a new administration under President Ahmed al-Sharaa took power.
Syria’s foreign ministry responded with a statement saying the sanctions relief for the seven entities would aid the nation’s recovery and rebuilding work, bolster government institutions, and help maintain stability.
The ministry also expressed approval for continuing sanctions against former Assad government figures accused of participating in violations against Syrian citizens.
In May 2025, the European Union removed all economic restrictions on Syria while maintaining measures targeting former Assad administration members and security-related sanctions.
The organization explained that networks connected to the previous government still maintain power and could interfere with Syria’s democratic transition and peace-building processes.
Earlier this month, the European Union also reinstated its full cooperation agreement with Syria, stating that the circumstances that caused its suspension during Assad’s violent response to demonstrators in 2011 no longer existed.
