Syrian FM Welcomes EU Decision to Suspend Sanctions
“We hope that this decision will have a constructive impact on all aspects of life for the Syrian people and ensure sustainable development,” al-Shaibani
Jan. 28, 2025
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Syrian Transitional Government's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani expressed support for the European Union's decision to suspend sanctions on Syria, describing it as a positive step toward broader economic relief for the Syrian people.
In a statement shared on his official X account on Monday, al-Shaibani stated, “We welcome the positive step taken by the European Union to suspend sanctions on Syria for one year; and look forward to seeing them lifted completely.”
Al-Shaibani emphasized the importance of this decision in fostering positive change for the people of Syria. “We hope that this decision will have a constructive impact on all aspects of life for the Syrian people and ensure sustainable development,” he noted.
The Syrian Foreign Minister also reiterated his government’s commitment to continued development and recovery efforts, stressing that sustainable progress depends on international cooperation and equitable policies.
While the suspension of sanctions is temporary, the EU’s decision marks a significant development in the international community’s approach to Syria, in the aftermath of the Assad regime's collapse.
Experts note that the sanctions on Syria are serving as a pressure tool rather than a final solution. Human rights activists in Syria have raised voice recently advocating that sustainable development and stability require laws that protect human rights and ensure equal opportunities for all communities, including Armenians, Christians, Shia, Druze, and Kurds.
Western leaders continuously affirmed that in Syria, the focus must be on safeguarding religious and ethnic minorities amid the ongoing threat from groups like ISIS, emphasizing that It is crucial to preserve their rights and ensure they can live peacefully without fear of persecution.
Earlier this month, the German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stated to AP that "the security of the Kurds is also essential for a peaceful Syria."
She called for an end to the fighting in the north and stressed the need to integrate Kurdish forces into Syria's security structure to ensure stability and protect their rights.
Baerbock underlined that the inclusion of Kurds in the broader political and security framework is essential for lasting peace in the country.
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