Overview

• EU foreign ministers have formally decided to lift all broad economic sanctions on Syria, with only targeted measures against Assad-era figures and an arms embargo remaining.
• This move aligns with the U.S., which recently lifted its own sanctions, and is seen as a step toward stabilizing Syria and integrating it into the global financial system.
• Syrians and entrepreneurs express optimism about economic opportunities, including access to the SWIFT banking system, but experts caution that recovery will take years due to infrastructure and workforce losses.
• The EU hopes the decision will encourage Syrian refugees in Europe to return home, easing migration pressures and fostering stability in the region.
• Critics warn that Syria's transitional government has yet to demonstrate progress on democratic reforms, financial accountability, or parliamentary oversight.