Turkey has urged the European Union to lift sanctions on Syria to support a peaceful transition following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad. The EU is hosting an international aid conference for Syria, where new authorities have been invited. While some sanctions have been eased, concerns over governance and violence persist. Turkey emphasizes the need for economic opportunities and reconstruction to stabilize the country and assist returning refugees.
On March 16, 2025, Turkey urged the European Union to unconditionally lift sanctions on Syria in anticipation of an international aid conference in Brussels. Ankara, which supports Syria’s new leadership that took power after ousting President Bashar al-Assad, believes that lifting sanctions is crucial for a peaceful transition in Syria, as stated by the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
The EU is set to host the ninth international conference in support of Syria, marking the first invitation extended to representatives of the country’s new interim authorities. This event aims to garner international backing for Syria’s recovery following over 13 years of civil conflict, focusing on fostering stability and development.
In a prior announcement on February 24, the EU indicated a partial easing of sanctions affecting Syria’s energy, banking, and transportation sectors to alleviate challenges for interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. However, skepticism remains regarding the future actions of Sharaa’s Islamist group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which played a significant role in overthrowing Assad.
Concerns persist due to recent instances of violence targeting the Alawite community, which was associated with Assad, leading to cautious optimism regarding Syria’s trajectory under new governance. EU foreign ministers have communicated that eased sanctions may be reinstated should the new Syrian leadership fail to uphold minority rights and democratic reforms.
Turkey emphasized that ensuring Syria’s economic security is vital for overall stability. Consequently, lifting sanctions unconditionally and indefinitely is deemed essential to foster job creation and economic opportunities. Additionally, Turkey advocated for reconstruction efforts in Syria to facilitate the return of nearly three million Syrian refugees it hosts. Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yilmaz is expected to participate in the upcoming Brussels conference.
Turkey has formally requested the European Union to lift sanctions on Syria without conditions, emphasizing the necessity for economic stability to ensure peace following the civil war. The EU has begun to ease sanctions, but concerns about the new government’s commitment to democracy and minority rights remain. The upcoming international conference serves as a pivotal moment for garnering support for Syria’s recovery and transition to stability after years of conflict.
Original Source: www.euractiv.com
