Saudi Arabia played host to a high-level meeting of Arab and European Union leaders in Riyadh, with talks on the future of war-torn Syria dominating the agenda. The gathering brings together officials from Turkey, France, and the UN, as well as representatives from Saudi Arabia and other regional players.
At the heart of the discussion is the lifting of sanctions on Syria, which have severely crippled the country’s economy since its civil war began 14 years ago. The new transition government, led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has been pushing for sanctions relief as a key step towards rebuilding the nation.
Syria’s trade minister, Maher Khalil al-Hasan, warned that failure to lift sanctions would lead to a catastrophic economic situation, hindering high-level investments in industries such as energy and oil. US sanctions on Syria are particularly contentious, with reports indicating they have stalled wheat imports.
EU officials, including German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, emphasized the need for a “smart approach” to sanctions, while stressing that measures against individuals responsible for human rights abuses during the civil war must remain in place.
The US has maintained a restrictive policy towards Syria, applying sanctions dating back to 1979. The EU has also imposed its own set of sanctions on the country. However, there is growing interest in reviving bilateral trade ties between Syria and other countries.
Source: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/arab-and-eu-leaders-meet-riyadh-discuss-future-syria