EU foreign ministers have reached an agreement to lift economic sanctions on Syria, announced by the bloc’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas.
“Our goal is to assist the Syrian people in rebuilding a new, inclusive, and peaceful Syria,” Ms. Kallas stated in a post on the social media platform X, following discussions with ministers in Brussels.
This shift in the European Union’s policy comes in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s announcement last week regarding the lifting of US sanctions on Syria.
“The EU has consistently supported Syrians over the past 14 years – and will continue to do so,” Ms. Kallas emphasized.
Syria’s Foreign Minister Assaad al-Shibani expressed gratitude to the EU for the sanctions relief.
In a post on X, Mr. Shibani stated that the EU’s decision would enhance Syria’s security and stability.
On the other hand, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has issued a warning that Syria may be on the brink of a new civil war of “epic proportions,” while advocating for support for the transitional leadership.
A view of damaged houses in Daraa, Syria, as the US Secretary cautioned that the country could be on the verge of civil unrest.
“Our assessment indicates that, realistically, the transitional authority could be just weeks away – not many months – from potential collapse, leading to a full-scale civil war that could split the country,” Mr. Rubio remarked during a US Senate hearing.
This statement followed a series of violent attacks on the Alawite and Druze minorities in Syria, where Islamist-led forces successfully toppled Bashar al-Assad in December during a swift offensive after a brutal civil war that began in 2011.
During a recent visit to Saudi Arabia, Mr. Trump announced the lifting of sanctions from the Assad era and met with guerrilla leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, now Syria’s transitional president.
Mr. Sharaa, dressed in a suit and described by Mr. Trump as a “young, attractive guy,” was previously on a US wanted list due to jihadist affiliations.
Mr. Rubio humorously remarked: “The transitional authority figures, they certainly didn’t pass their background checks with the FBI.”
However, he added: “Engaging with them could yield positive results, or it may not. But if we don’t engage, failure is guaranteed.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke following a series of violent incidents targeting Alawite and Druze communities.
Mr. Rubio, who also met with Syria’s foreign minister in Turkey on Thursday, attributed the resurgence of violence to the aftermath of Assad’s regime, a largely secular leader from the Alawite sect.
“They are navigating profound internal distrust, as Assad intentionally set these groups against one another,” Mr. Rubio stated.
Path to investment
Prior to this, the US had demanded significant steps from Syria’s transitional authorities, particularly regarding minority protections.
Mr. Trump’s initiative on Syria received encouragement from Turkey – the primary supporter of the Islamist fighters opposing Assad, who is allied with Iran and Russia – as well as from Sunni regional power, Saudi Arabia.
Mr. Rubio mentioned that the primary motivation for lifting the sanctions is to facilitate assistance from other countries.
“Nation-states in the region want to provide aid and initiate support, but they are hesitant due to our sanctions,” Mr. Rubio noted.
He indicated that Mr. Trump intends to waive the Caesar Act, which imposed investment sanctions on Syria to ensure accountability for abuses under Assad.
Individuals gather in the Old Damascus Bazaar amidst a resurgence of commercial activity throughout Syria’s capital.
He informed lawmakers that they may eventually need to repeal the law, as temporary waivers might not attract investors.
EU member states, which had previously suspended certain measures, have now approved the complete lifting of economic sanctions on Syria.
EU diplomats stated that sanctions lifting would include those that barred Syrian banks from the global financial system and froze central bank assets, although measures targeting individuals for inciting ethnic tensions would remain in place.
Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani has praised the lifting of sanctions by the US and other powers, viewing it as “a significant and historic opportunity for Syrians to rebuild their nation.”
“Those willing to invest in Syria will find open doors; anyone looking to collaborate with Syria will not face sanctions,” he proclaimed at a joint news conference in Damascus with his visiting Jordanian counterpart.
Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi remarked that Syria has now entered “a new phase, and its success necessitates giving it an opportunity to thrive.”
