European Union foreign ministers will meet on January 27 to discuss the potential lifting of sanctions on Syria, with conditions attached. The decision comes a month after President Bashar al-Assad was ousted from power by insurgent forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). HTS has since established a caretaker government in Damascus.
According to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, any easing of sanctions would depend on the new Syrian administration’s approach to governing, which must include “different groups” and women. Sanctions would only be lifted if there is “no radicalisation”.
German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock has proposed allowing relief for the Syrian population, while retaining sanctions on Assad allies who committed serious crimes during the war.
The United States has issued a six-month exemption of its sanctions for transactions with governing institutions in Syria to facilitate humanitarian assistance and energy transactions. British foreign minister David Lammy is participating in the talks along with ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, and the UN special envoy for Syria.
The EU’s approach aims to support the interim Syrian authorities while holding the Assad regime accountable for war crimes. The meeting in Brussels will determine how the 27-nation bloc relaxes sanctions on Syria.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/syria-talks-being-held-riyadh-with-western-regional-participation-2025-01-12