The British government on Thursday announced the removal of sanctions of two dozen Syrian entities, including the country’s central bank, marking a milestone in the western diplomatic relations with Syria following the downfall of the Bashar al-Assad regime.

Brussels says it seeks to encourage democracy as restrictions dealing with energy, transport and banking lifted.

European Union countries suspended a range of sanctions against Syria with immediate effect on Monday, including restrictions related to energy, banking, transport and reconstruction.

The European Union has suspended several sanctions on Syria, including those targeting energy, banking, and transport sectors. This move comes after the Islamist group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, ousted President Bashar al-Assad.

Sharaa’s interim government has been trying to court the international community to encourage investment and ease sanctions to allow Syria’s economy to recover.

Kaja Kallas, the EU’s top diplomat, said that the decision to lift sanctions is “immediate and open-ended” but warned that it “can be reversed if Syria's new rulers backtrack [on] their commitments”.

The European Union on Monday eased sanctions on Syria's energy, transport, and banking sectors in a bid to help the country's reconstruction after the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

The European Union on Monday suspended a series of sanctions against Syria, including restrictions on energy, banking, transport, and reconstruction, in a move that takes immediate effect.

European legislators have decided to ease certain sanctions against Syrian Arab Airlines, following the collapse of the Bashar Al-Assad government. The European Council states that it is suspending a number of restrictive measures against Syrian entities in order to facilitate recovery in the energy,

The decision is set to be finalized during a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, following an initial agreement reached in January.

BRUSSELS - European Union countries on Monday suspended a range of sanctions against Syria with immediate effect, including restrictions related to energy, banking, transport and reconstruction. Read more at straitstimes.