The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the Swiss Federal Council's decision to lift economic sanctions on Syria on Friday, describing it as "a positive step in the interest of the Syrian people," according to an official statement published by the ministry on its Twitter account.
The Ministry affirmed that the decision, issued on June 20, represents a balanced shift in international positions and reflects consistency with the principles of international law and respect for state sovereignty.
The statement stated that the sanctions "have been and continue to be an obstacle to meeting the basic needs of the Syrian people," and that they hinder development and economic stability. Lifting them will contribute to supporting reconstruction and national recovery efforts.
The Ministry expressed its appreciation for the "balanced" Swiss position, stressing that this step could contribute to enhancing the chances of the voluntary and safe return of Syrian refugees and supporting the path to a political solution led by Syrians themselves without foreign interference.
The decision included lifting restrictions on the provision of certain financial services, the trade in precious metals, and the export of luxury goods. It removed 24 major economic entities from the freeze list, including the Central Bank of Syria, while maintaining targeted sanctions on individuals and entities associated with the former regime, along with restrictions on military equipment and monitoring tools.
Switzerland imposed its first sanctions on Syria on May 18, 2011, in line with European Union measures. They were gradually eased starting in March 2025, leading up to the final partial lifting.
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