Key points
- Syria’s new interim govt officials invited to the conference
- Ankara believes lifting sanctions crucial for peaceful transition
- Turkiye is allied with Syria’s new rulers
ISLAMABAD: Turkiye has urged the European Union (EU) to lift sanctions on the Syrian Arab Republic.
Turkiye’s foreign ministry said in a statement that such a step is necessary for a “peaceful transition” in the country.
The EU will host the ninth international conference in support of Syria on Monday.
For the first time, representatives of Syria’s new interim government have been invited to attend the conference.
Ankara is allied with Syria’s new rulers who ousted president Bashar Assad and took power in December.
On February 24, the European bloc announced an easing of sanctions on Syria’s energy, transport, and banking sectors to relieve some of the challenges facing Ahmed Al-Sharaa, Syria’s interim president, Arab News reported.
EU remains wary
But Europe and other powers remain wary over what direction Sharaa’s Islamist group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) — which spearheaded the lightning offensive that toppled Assad on December 8 — may take Syria.
While there are hopes that Sharaa’s authorities can stabilise the country and usher in an inclusive future, recent deadly violence targeting the Alawite minority to which Assad belongs has kept doubts floating.
EU foreign ministers have warned that the sanctions they eased could be reimposed if Syria’s new leaders break promises to respect the rights of minorities and move toward democracy, according to AFP.
“Syria’s economic security is essential for the country’s stability and security,” Turkiye’s ministry said, adding that “economic opportunities and jobs need to be created.”
“Sanctions must be lifted”
“The sanctions must be lifted unconditionally and for an indeterminate period,” it said.
Turkiye, which hosts nearly three million Syrian refugees, also urged the reconstruction of Syria “to encourage returns.”
Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yilmaz will attend the Brussels conference.
