The United States began easing sanctions against Syria on Friday. President Donald Trump had previously promised to sweep all sanctions off the table. The EU had already preceded Trump and stopped all sanctions last week.
The US Treasury Department has ensured that transactions can again take place with the temporary government of Syria, the Syrian Central Bank and state-owned companies. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also granted a 180-day exemption for other sanctions.
The relaxations follow Trump saying at a press conference in the Saudi capital Riyadh that it is time for Syria to move on. He wants to give the country a chance to become “great.” The US president promised to lift all sanctions. “Good luck Syria, show us something very special.”
The US imposed sanctions against Syria in 2011. Then the civil war broke out under the regime of former President Al Assad. The new Syrian leader Ahmed Al Sharaa is seeking rapprochement with the West and has previously tried to ease sanctions against the country.
Despite Conerns About the New Government, The EU also Scraps Sanctions
The European Union also announced on Tuesday that all sanctions against Syria will be scrapped. The Netherlands was strongly against this, but has nevertheless agreed. All member states must agree to the lifting of sanctions.
According to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, there are concerns about whether the current Syrian government is “going in the right direction.” Yet there is no alternative, she believes. “Either we give them the opportunity to stabilize the country, or we don’t. We want there to be jobs and livelihoods for the people.”
A number of conditions have been included in the agreement. If Syria still goes in the wrong direction with the new regime, new sanctions will be imposed quickly, insiders report to ANP.