Europe After the fall of Assad: EU wants to ease Syria sanctions
The foreign ministers of the EU member states have approved a gradual easing of sanctions against Syria following the fall of the country's long-term ruler Bashar al-Assad. The approach agreed at a meeting in Brussels aims to give the new rulers incentives to establish a genuine democracy in Syria. It is also hoped that hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees in the EU will one day be able to return home.
27.01.2025, 21:25
SDA
Following the meeting, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas said that the easing of restrictions should facilitate reconstruction and help Syria to get back on its feet. At the same time, she emphasized that the plan also includes reversing the easing of restrictions if the new rulers take steps that the EU believes are going in the wrong direction.
Baerbock announces millions in aid
According to EU officials, the sanctions that are to be lifted primarily include measures that negatively affect the energy supply and make the movement of people and goods more difficult. Relaxations are also planned for the banking sector.
The transitional government in Syria welcomed the decision and spoke of a "positive step". Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani stated that it was hoped that the sanctions, which had initially been lifted for one year, would be ended permanently. "We hope that this decision will have a constructive impact on all areas of life for the Syrian people and ensure sustainable development."
In Brussels, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) spoke of good news for the people of Syria, but also for Europeans. She emphasized that the "sanctions against the murderous Assad clan and its henchmen" would remain in force. According to her, Germany will provide a further three million euros for the work of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Syria.
Siemens power plant could benefit
As an example of a company that could benefit from the easing of sanctions, Baerbock cited a Siemens power plant for electricity generation, which has not been able to be maintained with support from Germany for years due to the punitive measures.
The EU had imposed sanctions against Syria from 2011 in response to the violent actions of Bashar al-Assad's government against the civilian population. These were also directed against economic sectors that benefited the power circle around Assad.
The EU measures include a ban on investments in the Syrian oil industry and in companies involved in the construction of power plants to generate electricity in Syria. The sanctions package also includes a ban on the import of crude oil from Syria, an arms embargo and other export restrictions. The Syrian airline Syrian Arab Airlines is also subject to sanctions.
