EU Lifts Sanctions on Syria, President Ahmed Al-Shara Congratulated by António Costa

EU Lifts Sanctions on Syria, President Ahmed Al-Shara Congratulated by António Costa

Wednesday, Brussels/Damascus

European Council President António Costa on Wednesday congratulated Syrian President Ahmed Al-Shara following the European Union's decision to lift economic sanctions on Syria. Costa described the move as "a real opportunity for Syria’s recovery and reconstruction."

According to the Syrian state news agency SANA, President Al-Shara received a phone call from Costa.

During the call, Al-Shara expressed his gratitude to Costa and the EU member states, describing the decision as "a historic step" that could help lead the country toward a stable future. He emphasized that at this stage, international community support is critically important for Syria.

Al-Shara also stated that Israeli interventions continue to impact Syria, and urged the European Union to stand by the Syrian people. He welcomed European companies interested in investing in Syria, saying,

"Today’s Syria presents a promising investment opportunity and serves as a key economic corridor between East and West."

Costa expressed his interest in visiting Damascus and reaffirmed his confidence in President Al-Shara.

“During the call, I stressed that the EU’s decision to lift economic sanctions on Syria represents a real opportunity for the country’s recovery and reconstruction,” he said.

On Tuesday, the European Union officially announced the lifting of economic sanctions imposed on Syria, aiming to support the Syrian people in the post-civil war rebuilding process.

This decision came a week after U.S. President Donald Trump instructed the Treasury Department to roll back the extensive sanctions that had been imposed since 1979, and expanded further after the Syrian civil war began in 2011.

Former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, who led the country for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia last December, marking the end of the Ba'ath Party’s rule, which had held power since 1963.

Ahmed Al-Shara, who led the opposition forces that ousted Assad, was appointed interim president of Syria at the end of January.