Ankara: Turkey has urged the European Union to lift all sanctions on Syria without conditions. This comes ahead of an international aid conference in Brussels, where Syria’s new interim government has been invited for the first time.
The statement was released by Turkey’s Foreign Ministry on Sunday, calling for an end to the sanctions to support Syria’s recovery. The Brussels conference, set for Monday, aims to raise international support for Syria’s transition after more than 13 years of civil war.
The EU had already eased some sanctions on February 24, allowing relief in Syria’s energy, transport, and banking sectors. However, European leaders remain cautious about the country’s new leadership, particularly Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Islamist group that led the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
Despite some hopes for stability under interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa, recent violence against the Alawite minority has raised concerns about the future direction of the new government.
The EU has warned that if Syria’s leadership does not protect minorities and work toward democracy, the lifted sanctions could be reinstated. Turkey, a strong supporter of Syria’s new rulers, believes that economic security is key to long-term stability.
With nearly three million Syrian refugees living in Turkey, Ankara is also pushing for Syria’s reconstruction to encourage their return. Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yilmaz will attend the Brussels conference to advocate for these demands. The outcome of the conference will determine how the international community moves forward in supporting Syria’s recovery.
