Some European Union sanctions against Syria are being lifted, France's foreign minister said on Monday, as part of a broader EU move to help stabilise Damascus after the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad in December.

EU foreign ministers were in Brussels to discuss lifting some sanctions on Syria after the fall of Bashar Assad's regime. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Hungary could drop its veto on Russian sanctions.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said she expected the bloc to agree Monday to begin easing sanctions on Syria after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad."It is a step for step approach," Kallas said at the start of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels to discuss the move.

Once Syria's most influential minority, Alawites struggle to move on from their association with a hated dictator.

European Union foreign ministers meeting in Brussels on Monday are expected to ease some energy, transport and finance sanctions against Syria, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has said. “Today,

European Union top diplomat Kaja Kallas said on Monday that she hopes EU foreign ministers will be able to agree on gradually suspending the bloc's economic sanctions on Syria. Ministers are to decide on a "roadmap" for a step-by-step approach,