European Union Foreign Ministers decided to ease oil sanctions on Syria in order to help the civilian population and support the opposition to President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
"Because the humanitarian situation is extremely alarming, the Council adopted a decision that will allow the Syrian National Coalition to take advantage of the oil and gas reserves under its control," said EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton after a meeting of the EU Foreign Ministers in Luxembourg.
She said three types of transactions will now be possible: imports of oil and petroleum products, exports of key equipment and technology for the oil and gas industry, and investments in the Syrian oil industry.
Before approving any such transaction, EU authorities will consult with the Syrian National Coalition for Opposition and Revolutionary Forces and ensure that the transactions do not circumvent EU sanctions against Syria, in particular the asset freezes on those associated with the violent repression in Syria.
"We want regions controlled by the opposition to develop. We want to help economic reconstruction," German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle told reporters before the meeting.
"People will see there is a real alternative to the Assad regime exists," he added.
His British counterpart said "the security situation is so difficult that much of this will be difficult to do, but it is important for us to send the signal that we are open to helping in other ways, in all the ways possible."
The EU import ban on Syrian oil and petroleum products was imposed in September 2011 following the repression on the Syrian opposition.
Monday’s decision comes in the wake of the EU Foreign Affairs Council's announcement in February that it would "assess and review, if necessary, the sanctions regime against Syria in order to support and help the opposition."
EU Ministers also discussed the question of easing the arms embargo on Syria in order to support the opposition – a French and British demand- but no decision ws expected until next month.
The United Nations estimates that more than 70,000 people have been killed since the conflict started.