Italy seeks EU sanctions pause on post-Assad Syria

The Italian foreign minister proposed Friday a temporary suspension of European Union sanctions against Syria, suggesting a duration of six to twelve months, while noting that such action requires full EU consensus.

Speaking in Beirut after meetings with Syria’s new leadership in Damascus, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani addressed the shifts following the December 8 uprising that removed President Bashar al-Assad from power.

“We see potential for change,” Tajani stated, indicating the matter would be discussed at the upcoming EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels on January 27. “Italy supports this direction.”

Regarding his proposal, Tajani explained, “A moratorium of six months or a year is what I’ve suggested,” while emphasizing that “sanctions modification requires unanimous agreement from EU member states.”

The foreign minister met with Ahmed al-Sharaa, head of Syria’s interim administration, and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani. Their discussions focused on issues significant to Italy, including illegal immigration and drug trafficking.

When asked about specific actions he expected from the new Syrian administration before the EU meeting, Tajani noted only that initial developments were encouraging and praised the measured tone of Damascus’s recent communications.

The proposal follows recent statements from France’s foreign minister indicating openness to removing EU sanctions that impede humanitarian assistance and reconstruction efforts.

The United States has taken preliminary steps, announcing Monday a six-month exemption from sanctions for transactions with Syrian government institutions, effective from the end of Assad’s rule, to facilitate humanitarian aid delivery.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​