Turkey Calls on EU to Lift Sanctions on Syria Ahead of International Aid Conference

Turkey has urged the EU to lift sanctions on Syria unconditionally, citing the necessity for a peaceful transition as the country emerges from civil war. The call comes ahead of an international aid conference in Brussels to which Syria’s new authorities have been invited for the first time. Concerns remain about the new government’s direction, particularly regarding minority rights and democratic movements.

On March 16, 2025, Turkey urged the European Union to unconditionally lift sanctions imposed on Syria. This appeal comes ahead of an international aid conference set to take place in Brussels, which will include representatives from Syria’s newly established interim authorities. Turkey believes that lifting these sanctions is crucial for facilitating a “peaceful transition” within Syria, as stated by the Turkish foreign ministry.

The European Union is organizing the ninth international conference in support of Syria, marking the first occasion that representatives of the interim government have been invited. The objective of the conference is to garner international support for Syria’s transition and recovery following over 13 years of civil war. In a prior announcement on February 24, the EU indicated a partial easing of sanctions on Syria’s energy, transportation, and banking sectors to alleviate some difficulties faced by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Despite this easing of restrictions, the EU and other nations remain cautious regarding the potential direction of al-Sharaa’s affiliation with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the group that led the recent offensive to overthrow Bashar al-Assad. While there are optimistic views on the formation of a stable government under al-Sharaa that could foster inclusivity, ongoing violence against the Alawite minority raises ongoing concerns about the security situation.

EU foreign ministers have cautioned that the relaxed sanctions could be reinstated if the new Syrian leadership does not uphold commitments to protect minority rights or advance towards democratic governance. Turkey’s foreign ministry insisted that the economic security of Syria is vital for the nation’s overall stability and emphasized the need for creating economic opportunities and jobs. Furthermore, Turkey called for the sanctions to be lifted indefinitely and highlighted the importance of post-war reconstruction to facilitate the return of nearly three million Syrian refugees currently residing in Turkey.

To represent Turkey at the Brussels conference, Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yilmaz is scheduled to attend the event.

In summary, Turkey has formally requested the European Union to unconditionally lift sanctions on Syria, emphasizing the necessity of such actions for the country’s peaceful transition post-civil war. The upcoming international aid conference will see the participation of Syria’s new authorities, with aims to support the nation’s recovery. Despite some easing of sanctions, concerns about the new government’s commitment to minority rights and democratic reforms persist, casting uncertainty over Syria’s future stability.

Original Source: www.euractiv.com