European foreign ministers are set to convene in Brussels on January 27 to deliberate on the possibility of easing sanctions on Syria, according to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
The announcement was made on Sunday during a conference in Riyadh, where top Western and Middle Eastern diplomats gathered alongside Syria’s newly appointed foreign minister.
The meeting comes in the wake of significant changes in Syria’s political landscape. Last month, President Bashar al-Assad was ousted from power after a rapid offensive by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
The insurgents have since established a caretaker government in Damascus, marking a dramatic shift after 13 years of civil war.
Kallas emphasized that any relaxation of sanctions would be contingent on the policies of Syria’s new administration. The EU expects the government to adopt inclusive governance, incorporating “different groups” and women, while avoiding “radicalization.”
READ ALSO: Magnitude 6.2 Earthquake Strikes Southwest Mexico
“If we see the developments going in the right direction, we are ready to take the next steps,” Kallas stated. “However, if progress stalls or reverses, we will reassess our approach.”
Germany has taken the lead in the EU discussions, advocating for targeted relief to support the Syrian population while maintaining sanctions on individuals implicated in crimes during the conflict.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock announced an additional €50 million in aid for food, emergency shelters, and medical care for Syrians in need.
The United States has also made adjustments to its sanctions policy. On Monday, it issued a six-month exemption to allow transactions with governing institutions in Syria. This move aims to facilitate humanitarian aid and limited energy transactions.
British Foreign Minister David Lammy joined the Riyadh conference, along with representatives from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, Qatar, and other regional powers, as well as the U.N. special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen.
Discussions at the summit focused on supporting Syria’s interim authorities and exploring mechanisms to hold the Assad regime accountable for war crimes committed during the civil war.
Syria’s new political reality presents challenges for the international community. While the West imposed strict sanctions on Syria after Assad’s crackdown on pro-democracy protests in 2011, HTS—now leading the caretaker government—faces its own legacy of sanctions due to its past affiliation with al-Qaeda.
The Riyadh talks underscored the urgency of addressing these complexities. Damascus has called for sanctions relief to enable international funding and humanitarian aid to flow more freely. Leaders from the region and beyond emphasized the importance of ensuring the transition benefits ordinary Syrians while upholding accountability for past atrocities.
Discover more from Cine critique
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.