On February 24, 2025, the Council of the European Union adopted Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/408 to suspend a number of restrictive measures in its Syria sanctions regime following the fall of the Al-Assad regime. According to the Syria-Council Declaration issued on February 19, 2025, the measures were suspended in order to facilitate the political transition in Syria and enable the country to make a swift economic recovery. The new changes include the suspension of sectoral measures in Syria’s energy and transport sectors; the removal of six key entities from the sanctions list, including the Central Bank of Syria; and an indefinite application of existing humanitarian exemptions in Syria. In light of the new suspensions, the Council emphasized that it would maintain listings related to the Al-Assad regime, including sanctions involving the chemical weapons sector and drug trade. The Council also indicated that it would continue to closely monitor the situation in Syria to ensure that the new suspensions remain appropriate.
Council of the EU Press Release | Syria – Council Declaration | Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/408