EU nations on May 20th approved the idea of removing all economic sanctions on Syria, in an attempt to support the country with its recovery following the fall from power of Bashar al-Assad, according to The New Arab and agencies.
An initial agreement was made between the ambassadors of the union’s 27 member states. After EU foreign ministers reached a decision, EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas posted a statement on X, The Guardian reported on May 20th. She wrote: “We want to help the Syrian people rebuild a new, inclusive and peaceful Syria.”
Before the official approval, Kallas informed journalists about “very intense discussions” on removing sanctions. She said “There are worries about whether the [Syrian] government is going [in] the right direction. But I think we don’t have a choice.” Kallas continued “We … either give them the possibility to stabilise the country or we don’t do that,” implying that keeping sanctions might lead Syria down a path like Afghanistan.
Hashem Ahelbarra, reporting for Al Jazeera from EU headquarters, called the deal to lift sanctions a “really significant” step forward. Ahelbarra said sanctions, imposed during al-Assad’s 2012-2013 rule, targeted the transport, energy, and banking sectors.
The move from the EU follows US President Donald Trump declaring that his country was removing its sanctions on the war-hit country.
Al Jazeera reported on May 13th, that while touring Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, Trump declared his plan to end sanctions on Syria. He said the nation deserves “a chance at greatness.”
Al Jazeera, The New Arab and agencies, The Guardian
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