Six European countries call for easing sanctions on Syria

Six European Union member states called on the bloc to temporarily suspend sanctions imposed on Syria in sectors such as transport, energy and banking, according to a document seen by Reuters.

European Union foreign ministers are scheduled to discuss easing sanctions imposed on Syria during a meeting in Brussels on January 27.

The document, signed by Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Finland and Denmark, said that the European Union “must begin amending the sanctions regime immediately.”
However, the document also warned that if the EU’s expectations of respect for human and minority rights are not met, further sanctions may not be lifted and a re-imposition of sanctions mechanism may be applied in relation to sanctions that have already been lifted.

Last week, the United States issued a six-month exemption from sanctions on transactions with ruling institutions in Syria in an attempt to facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid.

The six EU member states said the bloc should lift sanctions to facilitate civilian flights, reassess sanctions on high-value goods, remove export bans on oil and gas technology, and reopen financial channels between the European Union and Syria.

Kaya Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy official, met with the new Syrian Foreign Minister, Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani, yesterday, Sunday, in Riyadh.
She said, “Now is the time for the new Syrian leadership to realize the hope it created, through a peaceful and comprehensive transition that protects all minorities.”
“After that, we will discuss with the European Union foreign ministers how to ease the sanctions,” she added.