European countries say they are eager to help reconstruct war-ravaged country and build bridges with its new leaders.

The European Union is considering easing sanctions on Syria to assist the new government in rebuilding the country following the fall of Bashar al-Assad, a senior EU official stated on Monday.

FILE PHOTO: EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas looks on, during her visit to attend a meeting on Syria, following the recent ousting of president Bashar al-Assad, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, January 12, 2025. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo

Western sanctions were part of an effort to pressure al-Assad to change his actions, and Western policymakers argue that they will be necessary to do the same with the new administration. But many Syrians believe that the sanctions threaten to doom Syria’s political transition as it struggles to recover from years of destruction and isolation.

Hadja Lahbib received a red carpet welcome last week when she became the first European commissioner to visit Damascus, Syria's capital, and meet with the country's new leaders after the toppling of Bashar Assad last month.

European Union top diplomat Kaja Kallas said on Monday that she hopes EU foreign ministers will be able to agree on gradually suspending the bloc's economic sanctions on Syria. Ministers are to decide on a "roadmap" for a step-by-step approach,

European Union foreign ministers meeting in Brussels on Monday are expected to ease some energy, transport and finance sanctions against Syria, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has said. “Today,