---
title: "Germany pushing for EU to relax sanctions on Syria, FT reports"
description: "Jan 7 (Reuters) - Germany is leading efforts for the European Union to ease sanctions imposed on Syria during the rule of President Bashar al-Assad who was ousted last month, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Newsdeck"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-01-07-germany-pushing-for-eu-to-relax-sanctions-on-syria-ft-reports/"
published: "2025-01-07T21:26:11"
updated: "2025-01-07T21:26:13"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 195
---

# Germany pushing for EU to relax sanctions on Syria, FT reports

> Jan 7 (Reuters) - Germany is leading efforts for the European Union to ease sanctions imposed on Syria during the rule of President Bashar al-Assad who was ousted last month, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday.

By Reuters · Published 7 January 2025, 23:26 SAST · Updated 7 January 2025, 23:26 SAST

## Key points
- Just in time for Christmas, Germany is playing Santa to Syria, proposing a gradual easing of EU sanctions in exchange for a sprinkle of social progress—because who doesn’t love a little political gift-wrapping with a side of women’s rights?
- German officials proposed easing EU sanctions on Syria, contingent on social progress.
- The proposals emphasize safeguarding minority and women's rights and non-proliferation commitments.
- Any sanctions relief could be temporary, allowing for reversal if necessary, similar to U.S. policy.
- German Foreign Minister Baerbock stressed the need for inclusive dialogue in Syria's transition during a recent visit.

## Content

German officials circulated two proposal documents among EU capitals shortly before Christmas outlining suggestions for the main areas where the bloc's sanctions on Syria could be eased, the report said, citing two people familiar with the matter.

The documents reportedly outline how the EU could gradually ease restrictions on Damascus in return for progress on social issues, including safeguarding minority and women's rights and upholding commitments to ensuring non-proliferation of weapons.

The FT, citing an unnamed source familiar with the EU discussions, added that, like Washington, the bloc could make any easing of sanctions temporary to ensure that it could be reversed if necessary.

Germany's foreign ministry declined to commenton the report.

Earlier this month German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock [travelled to Syria](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL1N3NZ04G&linkedFromStory=true) for a one-day trip with her French counterpart on behalf of the EU, where she met with the leader of Syria's new rulers, Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Baerbock said during her visit that all Syrian groups including women and Kurds must be involved in the country's transition if Damascus wants European support.

(Reporting by Surbhi Misra in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Emma-Victoria Farr in Frankfurt; Editing by Gareth Jones and Hugh Lawson)