Europe follows in the footsteps of the United States and lifts sanctions on Syria

This decision by the European Union (EU) is not an isolated case. Following the recent lifting of sanctions imposed on Syria by the United States, announced by Donald Trump during his tour of the Middle East, the European bloc announced the lifting of its sanctions with the intention of helping Damascus recover after years of crisis under the Assad regime. 

According to European diplomats, this decision has been motivated by European institutions' fear that the situation in Syria could resemble that in Afghanistan. The resolution is in line with the growing global trend towards reducing economic restrictions in order to revitalise life and allow the Syrian people to rebuild their nation. 

The same source said that the ambassadors of the 27 member countries of the European bloc had reached an initial consensus, which is expected to be officially announced by their respective foreign ministers in the coming days. However, the authorities have warned that these measures could be reimposed if the new Syrian government leaders break their promises to respect minority rights and move towards democracy.  

The move reflects a change of direction for the European Union, after it took its first steps in February. The most important of these is the lifting of restrictions in the areas of energy, transport and banking, as well as allowing the import of luxury goods. 

The first to speak out was Kaya Kallas, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who said that the European Union ‘has no alternative but to lift sanctions against Syria’.  

‘There are concerns about whether the Damascus government is making adequate progress, but I believe we have no choice. Either we give them the opportunity to stabilise the country, or we will face results similar to those in Afghanistan,’ she added. In addition, Kaya Kallas said that the EU had no choice but to lift sanctions against Syria.

The sanctions were imposed at the height of the Arab Spring in 2011 and intensified as the situation evolved into a civil war, reinforced by the US Caesar Act. 

In contrast, for Assad al-Chaibani, Syrian foreign minister, ‘the lifting of sanctions expresses the regional and international will to support Syria.’ ‘The Syrian people now have a historic and very important opportunity to rebuild their country,’ he added at a press conference in Damascus with his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi, who congratulated his Syrian counterpart. 

‘The goal today is to take advantage of the lifting of sanctions. Those who want to invest in Syria are welcome, those who want to cooperate with Syria no longer face any sanctions,’ the minister continued. 'We believe that today marks a historic moment in the history of the two countries and a very important moment in the future of relations between the two countries,' concluded Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Chaibani.

Although it is unclear how effective the lifting of sanctions will be, for the West, the decision to lift sanctions would give Syria the opportunity to reintegrate its economy, restore welfare at all levels and reconcile with neighbouring countries and the international community.