The foreign ministers of the European Union have reached a pivotal agreement to lift economic sanctions on Syria, as announced by the bloc’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas. In her statement, Ms. Kallas emphasized the EU’s commitment: “We want to help the Syrian people rebuild a new, inclusive and peaceful Syria.” This declaration followed important discussions held in Brussels.
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This shift in EU policy mirrors recent actions from the United States, with President Donald Trump indicating last week that he would initiate the lifting of US sanctions on Syria. Ms. Kallas remarked, “The EU has always stood by Syrians throughout the last 14 years – and will keep doing so.”
In response, Syria’s Foreign Minister Assaad al-Shibani expressed gratitude toward the EU for this decision. He noted on the social media platform X that lifting these sanctions will enhance Syria’s security and stability.
However, caution lingers in the air. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has issued a stern warning that Syria might be on the brink of a new civil war of “epic proportions.” He has called for support to be directed toward Syria’s transitional leadership. Mr. Rubio stated in a Senate hearing, “It is our assessment that the transitional authority is maybe weeks – not many months – away from potential collapse and a full-scale civil war.” After a series of violent attacks on minority groups in Syria, he underscored the urgency of the situation.
Mr. Rubio elaborated on the ongoing threat following a churning power dynamic, emerging post the 2011 civil war that saw a rapid offensive against Bashar al-Assad. He said, “They are dealing with deep internal distrust in that country because Assad deliberately pitted these groups against each other.” Amidst these turbulent discussions, President Trump recently met with the transitional president of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, an individual who had previously been on the U.S. wanted list.
In a lighter moment, Mr. Rubio humorously noted about the transitional authority: “They didn’t pass their background check with the FBI.” Even so, he acknowledged the importance of engagement: “If we engage them, it may work out, it may not work out. But if we do not engage them, it is guaranteed to not work out.” This reflects a critical crossroads for policy-makers as they navigate the complexities of Syrian governance.
Previous U.S. policies had insisted on tangible steps from Syria’s transitional authorities, particularly in the realm of minority protection. Trump’s recent decisions have seemingly been bolstered by regional allies like Turkey and Saudi Arabia, leading to a fresh consideration of how to approach the humanitarian crises in the area.
“The nations in the region want to get aid in, and they can’t because they’re afraid of our sanctions,” Mr. Rubio explained, reinforcing the necessity of alleviating pressure to allow vital assistance to flow into Syria. He noted that waiving certain sanctions, like the Caesar Act, would be instrumental in paving the way for foreign investment.
In light of these developments, EU nations have unanimously agreed to lift all economic sanctions, a decision celebrated by Syrian officials as a golden opportunity. “Anyone who wants to invest in Syria, the doors are open; anyone who wants to cooperate with Syria, there are no sanctions,” Mr. al-Shibani asserted during a recent press conference in Damascus alongside his Jordanian counterpart.
Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi echoed this sentiment by affirming that Syria is entering “a new phase, and Syria’s success requires giving it a chance to succeed.” The evolving dynamics in the region will certainly shape the future trajectory of Syria and its people.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring
