Syria's foreign minister attended an international conference in Paris on Thursday where regional and Western powers looked into how to shield the country during its fragile transition amid ongoing instability across the Middle East.

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Thursday that the European Union was working toward swiftly easing Syria sanctions as Paris hosted a conference on the transition in the war-torn country after president Bashar al-Assad's fall.

With the European Union poised to ease sanctions on Syria following the ouster of its former governing regime last fall, Europe’s bishops have urged the protection of persecuted communities and investment in rebuilding.

European Union countries suspended a range of sanctions against Syria with immediate effect on Monday, including restrictions related to energy, banking, transport and reconstruction. The EU has a range of sanctions in place targeting individuals and economic sectors in Syria.

The Kurdish National Council (KNC/ENKS) on Monday criticized the organization of Syria’s upcoming National Dialogue conference as “rushed,” and censured the “marginalization” of some of the country’s key components as a “violation” of national partnership.

EU also lifted asset freezes on five banks, eased restrictions on Syria’s central bank, and extended indefinitely an exemption designed to support the delivery of humanitarian aid.

The European Union on Monday suspended a series of sanctions against Syria, including restrictions on energy, banking, transport, and reconstruction, in a move that takes immediate effect.

Hundreds of Syrians will gather in Damascus on Tuesday for a one-day national dialogue conference, billed by the country's Islamist rulers as a key milestone in the transition to a new political system after decades of Assad rule.