The Council of the European Union announced on Monday that it has removed Syria’s Ministries of Defense and Interior from its sanctions lists, while extending restrictive measures on individuals and entities linked to the former regime until June 1, 2027.

In its official statement, the Council confirmed that seven Syrian entities — among them the two ministries — had been delisted. The move, it said, is intended to support the European Union’s renewed engagement with Syria and to help advance the country’s transition and recovery.

The Council recalled that the EU had already lifted all economic sanctions on Syria in May 2025. That earlier step was designed to facilitate the peaceful transition, reconstruction, and socio-economic recovery, while preserving targeted measures against figures associated with the former regime and sanctions tied to security concerns.

Despite the latest delistings, the Council stressed that networks connected to the former regime continue to wield influence and could still threaten the transition and national reconciliation. This, it argued, justifies maintaining sanctions on individuals and entities deemed to pose such risks.

The EU’s restrictive measures include asset freezes and a prohibition on EU citizens and companies providing funds to those listed. Individuals under sanction also remain barred from entering or transiting through EU member states.

The European Union first imposed sanctions on the former Syrian regime in 2011, following its violent crackdown on civilian protests.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.

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