European foreign ministers are set to convene in Brussels on 27 January to deliberate on easing sanctions against Syria, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, announced on Sunday, 12 January, during a high-level diplomatic meeting in Riyadh. The talks come amid shifting power dynamics in Syria following the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad last month by insurgent forces led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The insurgent coalition, long designated as a terrorist organization by Western governments, has since established a caretaker government in Damascus. The EU’s decision on sanctions, Kallas said, hinges on the new administration’s commitment to inclusive governance and its stance against radicalization. “If we see developments heading in the right direction, we are prepared to take further steps,” Kallas stated. “However, if progress falters, we are equally ready to reverse course.” The announcement was made on the sidelines of a landmark summit in Riyadh, the first major gathering of Western and regional leaders since Assad’s removal. Hosted by Saudi Arabia, the conference included top diplomats from the United States, Britain, and other European nations, as well as representatives from Egypt, Turkey, and Jordan….
EU Ministers to Debate Sanctions Relief for Syria Following Regime Change
January 12, 2025
