EU Weighs Syria Sanctions Relief After Assad's Fall
The Facts
European Union and Middle Eastern diplomats met on Sunday in the Saudi capital of Riyadh to discuss Syria's future. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said EU foreign ministers will meet in Brussels later this month to discuss the potential lifting of sanctions on Syria.
The meeting comes a month after Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) led a rapid offensive that ousted former Syrian Pres. Bashar al-Assad and established a caretaker government.
The Spin
Narrative A
The Syrian people have suffered enough. Europe must lift sanctions as soon as possible as sanctions relief is crucial for Syria's recovery and reconstruction efforts. Continuing restrictions will severely hinder the Syrian people's aspirations for development. Western nations must help provide essential goods and services, including energy and sanitation.
Narrative B
Sanctions must be lifted gradually and conditionally, requiring the new Syrian administration to demonstrate its commitment to an inclusive political transition that protects minorities and prevents radicalization before any significant relief can be granted.