Berlin is leading efforts within the bloc to ease sanctions imposed during Bashar Assad's rule, the Financial Times has reported. The easing would come in return for progress on social issues.

Berlin is leading a push for the European Union to ease Assad-era sanctions on Syria as part of a western drive to support the country’s political transition and aid reconstruction after 13 years of devastating civil war.

The announcement followed a meeting in Damascus between the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was once aligned with al-Qaida, and the top U.S. diplomat