EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has put forward a proposal to gradually ease sanctions against Syria. During talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Ankara, Kallas said that measures necessary for the country's reconstruction could be taken first. The plan aims to support Syria's reconstruction by starting with targeted easing measures that should enable an improvement in the humanitarian situation.
However, Kallas stressed that these easing measures depend on developments on the ground and that strict measures against certain sectors and actors, such as the Syrian Arab Airlines airline, may remain in place. The airline remains subject to EU sanctions targeting, among others, the Syrian regime and its allies.
The proposal to ease sanctions comes amid growing international discussions about the possible normalization of relations with Syria. Reconstruction of the country represents an enormous challenge, both financially and politically. Kallas explained that a gradual approach is needed to maintain the necessary pressure on the Syrian regime while improving the humanitarian situation.