EU to ease sanctions on Syria 

The European Union has resolved to ease sanctions on Syria if the authorities come up with a clear transition plan in the country. 

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas made the remark on Monday in Brussels on the sideline of the EU Foreign Ministers meeting. 

Although more than seven weeks have passed since the fall of the Assad regime, the new authority in Damascus still does not have a clear vision of how to manage the transitional phase or, if it does, it has not shared it with Syrians and the world. 

The existence of a realistic, comprehensive and implementable transition plan is a source of reassurance for the world, which will decide, based on this plan, whether it will help or hinder the transition, specifically, whether it will recognise the new regime, lift sanctions, provide aid and curb potential foreign interventions during the transitional phases. 

This transition issue of Syria dominated as top diplomats of the European Union met on January 27 in Brussels. 

The 27-nation EU had imposed wide-ranging sanctions on the al-Assad government and Syria’s economy during its civil war. There is hope for Syria’s new administration if a realistic transition programme that can be implemented is made available.

On the EU’s relations with the United States, Ireland Foreign Minister Simon Harris said it would benefit the U.S. if the country continues to do business with the European Union member countries as it has been with all the previous governments in Washington.

He commended President Donald Trump and his team for making the Gaza ceasefire possible