France says EU will lift some sanctions against Syria

A shop owner sits inside his store in the old city market in Damascus on January 9, 2025.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot told reporters on Monday that the European Union is lifting some sanctions against Syria, as top EU diplomats met in Brussels to discuss a coordinated approach to sanctions relief for the war-torn country. Barrot added that France would also propose sanctions against Iranian officials responsible for the detention of French citizens in Iran.

The European Union is lifting some sanctions against Syria, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on Monday, adding that France would also propose sanctions against Iranian officials responsible for the detention of French citizens in Iran.

The bloc's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said she expected EU members to agree to a "step-for-step approach" to sanctions relief for Syria.

Read moreFrance to host Syria conference in Paris on February 13

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Europe is keen to help the reconstruction of the war-ravaged country and build bridges with its new leadership after the end of the Assad family's five-decade rule.

But some EU countries worry about moving too fast to embrace the new Islamist-led rulers in Damascus.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)


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