Western diplomats expect Syria's EU sanctions will be eased

Western diplomats are expected to agree on Monday to ease sanctions on Syria, media reports said.

The diplomats said the foreign ministers should give the green light at a meeting in Brussels to begin work on suspending some of the measures. They added that "there is consensus on suspending sanctions in the energy and transport sectors," but there is no agreement on lifting sanctions on the banking sector due to concerns in some countries about the possibility of "financing terrorism."

The diplomats also stressed that any easing of sanctions would be reversible as the EU seeks to maintain pressure on the new Syrian administration to implement promises of a comprehensive transition of power.

Zaman Al Wasl