Syria: In the wake of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s overthrow last month, a regional meeting in Riyadh brought together ministers and senior diplomats from Western and Middle Eastern countries to deliberate on Syria’s future. The discussions, which included calls for lifting sanctions to aid the country’s reconstruction, have set the stage for a critical meeting of European Union (EU) foreign ministers in Brussels on January 27, as reported by Al Jazeera.
EU’s Stance on Sanctions
The EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, announced that the upcoming meeting will focus on the bloc’s approach to the sanctions imposed on Syria. While the EU has signaled a willingness to consider easing sanctions, it has underscored that any relaxation would be contingent on Syria’s progress toward forming an inclusive government that respects the rights of women and minorities and prevents radicalization.
“We need to balance aid with accountability. If the conditions change or regress, we are prepared to reinstate sanctions swiftly,” Kallas told reporters, as per Al Jazeera.
Calls for Lifting Sanctions
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, emphasized the negative impact of sanctions on Syria’s development. “The continuation of unilateral and international sanctions hinders the aspirations of the Syrian people to achieve development and reconstruction,” he said during the Riyadh meeting.
The Riyadh discussions included a broad spectrum of regional foreign ministers, with representatives from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey. Also present were key Western officials, including British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, and US Under Secretary of State John Bass.
Syria’s New Leadership and Regional Concerns
Syria’s newly appointed foreign minister, Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, attended the Riyadh meeting, continuing his advocacy for lifting sanctions to enable foreign investments. The new government, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has called for Western countries to ease restrictions to allow humanitarian aid and financial support to enter Syria.
Regional leaders expressed concerns about Syria’s stability and the role of external actors, particularly Israel’s operations in the Golan Heights. The Saudi foreign ministry reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Syria’s sovereignty, unity, and reconstruction.
“Steps were discussed to support the Syrian people and provide them with all necessary aid at this critical stage of their history. It is essential to help rebuild Syria as a unified, independent, and safe Arab state with no place for terrorism or breaches of its sovereignty,” read the statement obtained by Al Jazeera.
EU’s Internal Debate
While some EU members, including France, Italy, and Germany, have advocated for loosening sanctions, the decision requires unanimous agreement among all 27 member states. German Foreign Minister Baerbock stressed the importance of a nuanced approach, maintaining sanctions on individuals implicated in war crimes while enabling aid to reach the Syrian people.
“Sanctions must be implemented smartly. We must hold those responsible for grave violations accountable, but Syrians deserve a swift dividend from the transition of power,” Baerbock said.
Western Engagement with Syria’s New Leaders
The Riyadh meeting marked the first formal engagement between Syria’s new leadership and Western officials. It followed a series of diplomatic talks in Jordan and Rome, where regional leaders discussed their reservations about Syria’s new government and outlined steps required to gain international recognition.
As the international community deliberates the future of sanctions, the outcome of the EU’s January 27 meeting could play a pivotal role in determining Syria’s trajectory toward recovery and international reintegration.
