EU Sets Turkey Resigns Syria's Economic Sanctions

European Union foreign ministers (BE) have agreed on Tuesday to lift economic sanctions against Syria, announced EU foreign policy chief Kaya Kallas.

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This change from the European Union to its foreign policy comes after US President Donald Trump stressed last week that he would order the removal of US sanctions on Syria.

“The EU has always been close to Syrians over the past 14 years and will continue to be”, Kallas said.

The European Union has already eased sanctions related to energy, transport and reconstruction, as well as related financial transactions, but some capitals have argued they were insufficient to support the political change and economic recovery of Syria.

“The EU wants to start first with Syria... but we also expect a sweeping domestic policy, involving all population groups and religious groups”, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said in a written statement, reports REL, broadcast Periscope.

For us, it is important that a united Syria can take its future into its own hands”, he added.

Syria's new leaders have been persistently demanding the removal of international sanctions, which were imposed because the country's former president, Bashar al-Assad, had oppressed opponents by plunging the country into civil war.

But diplomats said the EU aims to impose new individual sanctions on those responsible for inciting ethnic tensions, following deadly attacks on the alavite minority.

Other measures against the Assad regime and the ban on selling weapons or equipment that can be used to crush civilians are expected to remain in force.

Syria Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaiban said following the EU's decision that lifting economic sanctions indicates “international volition” to support Damascus.

Shaiban added that the Syrian subx0 people today have a very important and historic opportunity to rebuild his country”. /Periscope/