Damascus: Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani proposed a temporary suspension of European Union sanctions on Syria during a visit to Beirut on Friday. Speaking to reporters following discussions with Syria’s new leadership in Damascus, Tajani suggested a moratorium lasting six months to one year but emphasized that any final decision must come from the EU as a collective.
“I think that we can begin to change things,” Tajani said, adding, “The next step is the meeting of the ministers of foreign affairs of the EU, and we will talk on this. Italy is in favour.” The EU Foreign Ministers’ meeting is scheduled for January 27 in Brussels.
Tajani underscored that lifting sanctions requires unanimous agreement across the European bloc. “A solution should be a moratorium – six months, one year. I put this idea on the table,” he said, while clarifying, “Lifting sanctions is not a national decision; they are a European bloc decision.”
During his visit to Damascus, Tajani met Syria’s newly appointed leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani. The discussions focused on critical issues such as illegal immigration and drug trafficking, both of which Tajani described as key concerns for Italy.
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When asked about specific actions he would like Syria’s new administration to take before the EU meeting, Tajani remarked, “The beginning has been positive,” citing “very good declarations” and a lack of aggressive rhetoric from the new leadership.
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In a related development, France’s foreign minister indicated that EU sanctions impeding humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts could be lifted quickly. Meanwhile, the United States issued a six-month sanctions exemption on Monday for transactions with governing institutions in Syria to facilitate the flow of humanitarian assistance in the aftermath of Assad’s ousting on December 8.
