Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Finland and Denmark are calling on the EU to reconsider its sanctions policy towards Syria, in a non-paper dated 10 January obtained by Agence Europe, “in view of the fall of the repressive Assad regime, which was the objective of our restrictive measures, and to consider it as a tool for moving forward”.
On Sunday 12 January, EU High Representative Kaja Kallas explained, after a meeting with Syria’s new foreign minister, Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, that it was “now time for Syria’s new leaders to deliver on the hope they have created - through a peaceful and inclusive transition that protects all minorities”. “We will then discuss with the EU foreign ministers how to ease the sanctions”, she added (see EUROPE 13555/12). According to the delegations, there is an urgent need to adopt a decision on the lifting of sanctions at the next Foreign Affairs Council on 27 January.
For Berlin, Paris, The Hague, Madrid, Helsinki and Copenhagen, “in the short term, we must begin immediately to adjust our sanctions regime in order to encourage a peaceful transition, improve the conditions for humanitarian aid, the recovery and reconstruction of essential infrastructure and thus facilitate the return of displaced Syrians to their country of origin”.
In their view, “as a first gesture towards the Syrian people”, the measures set out in EU Regulation 36/2012 should be identified and rapidly suspended without preconditions. This would include facilitating transport between the EU and Syria, for example the lifting of sanctions against Syrian Arab Airlines and the export of jet fuel to Syria.
The delegations also want sanctions on high-value goods to be reassessed to facilitate the relocation of Syrian businesses to Syria.
According to the six countries, the export ban on oil and gas technologies should also be lifted, as should restrictions on exports and participation in and financing of infrastructure projects.
They also believe that the EU could reassess the options for reopening banking and investment relations with Syria so that Syrians can have access to their personal finances.
In response to the “deplorable” humanitarian situation, the current humanitarian exemptions should be extended beyond June 2025.
The Member States are also calling for a discussion at UN Security Council level on the possible removal of the HTS entity from the list of UN sanctions against ISIL/AQ, subject to conditions.
While they are proposing this lifting of measures, “it is important to note that if the EU’s expectations, as set out in the conclusions of the December European Council (see EUROPE 13549/2), are not met, a further lifting of sanctions may not be possible and a return to normal mechanism applied to sanctions already lifted (...) will apply”, the delegations warn. They are therefore proposing a temporary suspension mechanism. However, measures could be re-imposed at any time if the situation on the ground were to contradict our expectations of the new leadership in Syria.
The six Member States also propose to maintain sanctions against members of the Assad regime and its supporters, as well as sanctions relating to non-proliferation. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)