The European Union seems reluctant on imposing sanctions on Syria after realizing that they won’t be able to spare the Syrian Republic because of some states’ interests with it

The European Union seems reluctant on imposing sanctions on Syria after realizing that they won’t be able to spare the Syrian Republic because of some states’ interests with it.

EU diplomats told AFP on Thursday that Europe may tone down a planned new set of sanctions against Syria after some states with strong trade links with Damascus raised concerns.

EU government representatives reached a preliminary agreement on new economic sanctions last week. But Greece opposes a ban on phosphate imports while some states raised concerns over the extent of sanctions against the Syrian central bank, the diplomats said. The EU buys 40 percent of Syria's phosphate exports.

Nations that do extensive business with Syria are arguing for more limited measures against the central bank, fearing that full sanctions "would mean a complete stop to all trade," a diplomat said.