EU lifts sanctions against Syria - tensions remain high!

After the fall of the Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad, there are major changes: the EU plans to suspend the sanctions that have been in effect for years. As the Krone , the EU Foreign Minister should give a formal decision at a meeting on Monday, which temporarily overrides the sanctions against the energy sector, transport and financial institutions. This agreement was already reached at the end of January, but with the reservation that the new rulers in Damascus must adhere to agreements to protect minorities and democratization.

The transitional government under the HTS boss Ahmed al-Sharaa is moderate and has put pressure on the international community to loosen the sanctions. The years of civil war and the hard sanctions have hit the Syrian economy heavily, as the United Nations explained, a return to economic normality will take decades. Such sanctions are not only a means of pressure, but also part of a broader strategy to promote democracy and respect for human rights, such as the Foreign office

sanctions as a political instrument

The EU imposes sanctions to act against violations of international order and to move states, organizations or individuals to change their behavior. These measures, among other things, against countries such as Iran, North Korea and Russia, serve to maintain fundamental principles such as democracy and human rights. Sectoral economic sanctions in particular can significantly impair the trade relationships of a country and inhibit its economic growth.

It remains to be seen how the new leaders will behave in Damascus. Will you implement the promised reforms or could the sanctions get back into force quickly? The international community observes these developments closely, because the geopolitical tensions are still high and the Situation in Syria remains tense.