The European Union’s top diplomats are meeting on January 27 to discuss the relaxation of sanctions on Syria to restore the country’s troubled economy amid questions about the political direction of the new administration of the war -torn country. Can go
When EU Foreign Ministers come together, specific sanctions they will consider include travel restrictions, Syrian exports of oil and gas, and access to infrastructure and humanitarian aid, gradually lifting restrictions on financial transactions. In addition, two European diplomatic sources are aware. He told Al Jazeera about the ongoing debate in Brussels.
In early January, the United States eased some sanctions for six months to facilitate humanitarian aid, some energy sales and personal remittances in Syria.
The European Union is considering its move. In the past weeks, EU officials have been shown in Damascus. Show Bashar al -Assad’s rebel group supported the new interim government led by Hayat al -Sham (HTS). The United Nations imposed sanctions on the group in 2014 because of relations with al -Qaeda. And in 2018, the US and EU nominated HTs as a “terrorist” organization.
But even contacting Syria’s interim leader Ahmed al -Fasra, EU leaders have issued a warning: they want the new leadership of Syria to form a comprehensive government that respects human rights and minorities.
The 27 -member block is cautious about what the direction can take. Referring to a poor HTS record in human rights, one of the two diplomats said, “It does not seem that there are undeniable indications that everything has changed.” In 2020, the EU condemned the “organized act” of torturing and killing citizens living in HTS -controlled areas, saying the group’s actions could be equivalent to war crimes or crimes against humanity.
The diplomat added that the worst situation would have to be removed and the new administration would have to impose restrictions on the rights of women or minorities.
Al -Sharia joined al -Qaeda in Iraq in 2003 and later established a branch of an armed group in Syria, known as Jabhat al -Nusra. He cut off relations with al -Qaeda and joined other factions to re -brand HTS in 2017. Prior to the power attack that ended the Assad regime in December, the group controlled the country’s northwestern region, where it was estimated. Up to 30,000 fighters.
The Syrian leader has repeatedly denied extremism. It has also tried to present a moderate picture promising to launch a comprehensive government. Experts say that agreeing to lift sanctions to Western powers is very important for the success of the new government, because after the collapse of Bashar al -Assad, the initial excitement, if economic relief does not come fast enough, the path to frustration and violence. Can be smooth.
It is estimated that 90 % of Syria’s population is living in poverty. The country’s gross domestic production (GDP) is less than $ 9 billion today, compared to $ 60 billion in 2010. Most areas receive only two to three hours of electricity provided by the state. The new administration lacks the resources to deal with difficult tasks – from paying salaries to government employees and the construction of the entire cities in the rubble, to setting up road maps for elections and guaranteeing heat in the winter.
“It is easy to fail the test – there are many reasons for things being wrong,” said Sultan Berkat, a professor of public policy at Hamad bin Khalifa University in Qatar.
Barkat argued that sanctions that directly hinder the country’s reconstruction capacity – such as the immediate removal of immigrants – such as investing in the production sector for travelers – to be removed immediately. Should and should be connected without any wire. EU can talk about restrictions on individuals or HTS in later phase.
“We can only decide through them. [the al-Sharaa-led administration] Say and what they say is fine – now they [Western governments] They can help to put their words into practice or may be suspicious and create obstacles for them, “he said.
Syria is the third country in the world after Russia and Iran, with the highest number of sanctions imposed. In the 1970s, the United States added the country to the list of states guarding “terrorism” in its occupation of eastern Lebanon. Several other waves of sanctions – from both the United States and the European Union – were imposed in the next decades, including Al -Assad’s support for Hezbollah and its brutal repression on supporters of democracy in 2011, followed by 13 years. The war continued. .
The most weakening sanctions are the Caesar Act imposed by the United States in 2019, which effectively banned states and private businesses from doing business with the Assad government. The European Union imposed sanctions on exports and imports, infrastructure projects and financial support for trade.
Sameer Aita, a Syrian economist, said the EU’s proposal for US exemptions and sector sanctions guarantees stability for the new administration and privately – said Sameer Aita, a Syrian economist, Sameer Aita, a Syrian economist. Can be inadequate to attract investors. And President of the Circle of Arab Economist, based in France.
“You need to accelerate the process,” Aita said. He said that if the Syrian state and its institutions are not working and only NGOs can work, they will replace the state. He added that under the restrictions of the central bank, the country is at risk of turning into a “cash economy” which may turn into different groups and militias into the uncontrollable flow of money, “and it means Chaos “, he added.
Europe will directly affect itself with such instability. “The European Union is in a direct line of Syrian conflict in terms of migration, terrorism and widespread instability, so there is a clear interest in seeing a stable evening moving forward,” said Middle East director Julian Barnes Disi. Program at the European Council for Foreign Relations.
Since the beginning of the war, more than a million Syrians have sought refuge in Europe. And with anti -refugee sentiment throughout the block, promising some European governments to create economic conditions for refugees’ repatriation can prove to be a beneficial election stunt.
But political engagement is not similar to any meaningful material step to support the transition so far, Barns Daci said. “There is a real danger that if they wait a lot, the deteriorating conditions will weaken the chances of the transfer that they want to see delivered,” he added.
