Istanbul, March 16, 2025 (AFP) – Türkiye on Sunday called on the European Union to unconditionally lift sanctions on Syria ahead of an international aid conference in Brussels to which the war-torn country's new authorities have been invited.
Ankara, which is allied with Syria's new rulers who ousted President Bashar al-Assad and took power in December, sees the move as necessary for a “peaceful transition” in the country, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The European Union will hold its ninth international conference in support of Syria on Monday. For the first time, representatives of the Syrian government, the new interim authorities, have been invited.
The event aims to attract international support for Syria's transition to democracy and its recovery after more than 13 years of civil war.
The European bloc on February 24 already announced the easing of sanctions on Syria's energy, transport and banking sectors to ease some of the problems facing Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria's interim president.
But Europe and other powers remain wary of the direction in which Shara's Islamist group Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which led the lightning offensive that toppled Assad on December 8, might take Syria.
While there are hopes that the Sharaa authorities will be able to stabilise the country and ensure an inclusive future, recent deadly violence against Assad's Alawite minority has raised doubts.
EU foreign ministers have warned that sanctions they eased could be reimposed if Syria's new leaders break promises to respect minority rights and move towards democracy.
“Syria's economic security is crucial for the country's stability and security,” the Turkish ministry said, adding that “economic opportunities and jobs must be created.”
“The sanctions must be lifted unconditionally and for an indefinite period,” the statement said.
Türkiye, which hosts nearly three million Syrian refugees, has also called for the reconstruction of Syria “to encourage returns.”
Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yilmaz will attend the conference in Brussels.
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