EU lifts all sanctions on Syria after fall of Assad regime
The European Union decided on Tuesday to lift all remaining economic sanctions on Syria, hoping this will facilitate access to financial funds and accelerate the country's recovery after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December.
"We want to help the Syrian people build a new, inclusive and peaceful Syria. The EU has always stood by the Syrians during these 14 years – and will continue to do so," Kaja Kallas declared after the meeting of foreign ministers.
The EU decision comes less than a week after Donald Trump's visit to the Middle East, during which he met with the interim Syrian president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, and announced the plan to lift all US sanctions on Syria.
EU begins review of agreement with Israel after Gaza offensive
The European Union will review its broad trade and cooperation agreement with Israel, following the expansion of the Israeli offensive in Gaza and the refusal to lift a two-month blockade of humanitarian aid.
The decision was made on Tuesday, after 17 of the 27 foreign ministers of member states supported the proposal presented by Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp.
This means that the European Commission will launch a review to determine whether Israel has violated its human rights obligations under Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which governs trade and diplomatic relations between the two parties.
UK suspends trade negotiations with Israel
The British government has announced the suspension of negotiations for a new trade deal with Israel and imposed new sanctions on Israeli settlements in the West Bank, in response to the ongoing shelling of Gaza.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated that the current trade agreement with Israel remains in force, but the government cannot continue negotiations with an administration that is pursuing, according to him, "heavy-handed and unacceptable" policies in these territories.
Lammy added that the ongoing cycle of violence in the West Bank requires a clear and concrete response.
Hungary approves withdrawal from International Criminal Court after arrest warrant for Netanyahu
The Hungarian parliament on Tuesday approved a proposal to withdraw the country from the International Criminal Court (ICC), with 134 votes in favor, 37 against and 7 abstentions. The initiative was presented by Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjen.
According to the Hungarian government, the ICC has become a political actor.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán accused the court of political interference in an ongoing conflict after it issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Orbán said the decision undermines international law.
