Turkey will call on Brussels to lift sanctions against Syria “unconditionally and indefinitely” at the annual donor conference starting on Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Sunday.
Ankara, an ally of the new Syrian authorities in power since 8 December, views this measure as essential for supporting “a comprehensive and peaceful transition” in its neighbouring country, with which it shares a 910-kilometre border.
“The economic security of Syria is crucial for the stability and security of the country,” stated the ministry in a press release.
“Economic opportunities and jobs must be created,” it emphasised, adding that “sanctions must be lifted unconditionally and indefinitely.”
Turkey, which still hosts nearly three million Syrian refugees, is also advocating for “the comprehensive reconstruction (of the country) to encourage returns.” Turkey will be represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yilmaz.
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Since the transitional authorities came to power and adopted a constitutional declaration granting full powers to interim president Ahmad al-Chareh, the European Union has suspended its sanctions targeting key sectors of the Syrian economy. However, following massacres in the northwest last week, the EU has indicated it is ready to reinstate the sanctions if the new government does not uphold its promise to include and respect minority rights.
The Latakia region was the scene of mass civilian executions, mostly Alawites, after attacks by supporters of the ousted president Bashar al-Assad against security forces.
According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), these attacks left more than 1,200 people dead in just a few days.
