Diplomats and foreign ministers from 17 Arab and EU states convened in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday to discuss the lifting of economic sanctions on Syria, originally imposed during the rule of ousted president Bashar al-Assad. Removing the sanctions is key to reconstruction efforts for Damascus but will hinge on the new government’s ability to guarantee human rights in the country.
After the meeting, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock advocated maintaining sanctions against Assad’s allies but alleviating restrictions that affect the general population. Baerbock also pledged an additional $51.2 million in aid for essential services. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also announced a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels on Jan. 27 to discuss further relief measures.
As for the US, while it has not lifted sanctions, last week it issued a six-month exemption for certain transactions with Syrian governing institutions to expedite humanitarian assistance.
We’re watching whether those measures will be extended under the new administration of US President-elect Donald Trump, who in December said that Syria’s change of regime is “not our fight.” Trump also remarked that “Turkey is going to hold the key to Syria” – something that Saudi Arabia may take issue with as it positions itself as a key regional player in Syria’s rebuilding.
