The new administration's approach to governing must include "different groups" and women, and "no radicalization", the European Union's foreign-policy chief said.

Syria's interim Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, who has repeatedly called for lifting long-standing sanctions, attended the talks alongside foreign ministers and representatives from Bahrain, Egypt, Turkiye, the United Arab Emirates, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, the United States, and other countries.

During a gathering Sunday, Saudi Arabia urged top European diplomats to lift sanctions against Syria to boost rebuilding the country and its economy after last month’s overthrow

Six member states of the European Union have called for the bloc to temporarily suspend sanctions on Syria in areas such as transport, energy and banking, according to a paper seen by Reuters. EU foreign ministers are set to discuss relaxing Syria sanctions during a meeting in Brussels on Jan.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani is travelling to Syria on Friday to encourage the country’s transition following the ouster of President Bashar Assad by Islamist insurgents, and said Europe should review its sanctions on Damascus now that the political situation has changed.

Saudi Arabia held a meeting with leading diplomats of the European Union. The main topic was Syria, NBC News reports. According to the news outlet, European and Middle Eastern diplomats met in the Saudi capital Riyadh to discuss the future of Syria.