Germany has appealed for a relaxation of some EU sanctions against Syria after long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad was ousted while Saudi Arabia hosted a – Sunday's international conference on the situation in the war-torn country.
“We as an international community must not let the opportunity for a future for Syria pass us by, despite all reasonable suspicions. That is why we are in Germany and Europe now taking the first concrete steps,” German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on the sidelines of the conference in Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh.
Sanctions against members of the al-Assad regime, who committed serious crimes during the civil war, had to be maintained, she said.
But the German government is proposing a “smart approach” to the European Union to help the Syrian people quickly, ensuring that there is food to eat and more electricity every day until reconstruction begins, she said. .
“All of this promotes stability and ensures a peaceful transition of power,” Baerbock said.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who was also present at the conference, wrote on X that the bloc would look at how to reduce sanctions.
“But this must follow substantial progress in a political movement that reflects Syria in all its diversity,” she said.
The EU imposed sanctions against Syria in response to the government's violent crackdown on the civilian population in 2011.
These are directed against the now-destroyed government and its supporters, as well as against economic sectors from which the government benefited.
They include, for example, a ban on investments in the Syrian oil industry and in companies involved in the construction of new power plants to generate electricity in the country, a ban on the import of crude oil from Syria , an arms embargo and further exports. restrictions.
Saudi Arabia wants sanctions to end
The Saudi Foreign Minister, Faisal bin Farhan, called on Sunday for the international sanctions on Syria to be lifted.
“Following them will hinder the aspirations of the Syrian people to achieve development and reconstruction,” he said in a press release at the end of the one-day gathering.
In addition to Kallas, Baerbock and other Western representatives, the participants of the conference included foreign ministers from the countries that are close to Syria – Turkey, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon – as well as the those from Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.
Syria's interim foreign minister, Hassan al-Shibani, was also present.
Among other topics, they discussed the political process for the permanent stability of Syria, the humanitarian situation and the reconstruction of the country.
The Saudi minister said that the partners welcomed the “positive” steps taken by the new Syrian administration in preserving the state's institutions, starting an inclusive political process in Syria. and commitment to fighting terrorism.
Syria has been in a period of political reorientation since the Islamist rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) led a surprise rebel offensive that led to the ouster of al-Assad last month after almost 14 years of civil war.
Al-Assad, who ruled Syria for more than two decades, fled the country to Russia after the rebels advanced on the capital Damascus.
HTS now leads an interim government, which is closely watched abroad, especially for how it deals with women's rights and religious minorities.
Meanwhile, fighting continues, especially in the north of the country, where Kurdish militias are fighting Turkish-backed groups.
Baerbock promises more humanitarian aid
Baerbock also announced in Riyadh that Germany is to provide an additional €50 million ($51 million) in humanitarian aid to Syria.
The money, which will be paid to the UN World Food Program and various non-governmental organizations, is to be used for food, emergency shelter and medical care, she said.
“The people in the different regions urgently need to improve in their living conditions for the very important political movement to take place,” said Baerbock.
She repeated her call to address the crimes of the al-Assad regime.
The Syrian civil war has had a devastating impact on the country's population, infrastructure and economy, with 16 million people now in need of humanitarian aid and 70% of the population living in poverty.
The economy has shrunk by 85% since 2011 and it is estimated that rebuilding could cost between $250 billion and $400 billion.
The Riyadh gathering emphasized the importance of continued humanitarian and economic aid to Syria and helping to create an “appropriate environment” for the return of Syrian refugees, according to the Saudi foreign minister.
About 13 million people were expelled from the country or fled abroad.
The talks in Riyadh showed steps to support the Syrians “at this important stage of their history, and help them to rebuild Syria as a united, independent and safe Arab state for all its citizens, without no place for terrorism, without violation of its sovereignty. or an attack on territorial integrity by any party,” the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
