EU Commits to Address Syria Sanctions at Riyadh Summit with Western and Arab Leaders

EU Commits to Address Syria Sanctions at Riyadh Summit with Western and Arab Leaders

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European foreign ministers have agreed to meet at the end of January to discuss lifting sanctions on Syria. The decision follows recent developments in the region. Foreign ministers and top diplomats from Western countries and the Middle East convened in Saudi Arabia, Al Jazeera reports on January on 12th. This marks the first regional meeting since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad last month.

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Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, announced on Sunday, January 12th, that foreign ministers would meet in Brussels on January 27 to discuss potential approaches for the 27-member bloc on the issue.

In Riyadh, she told reporters that the EU seeks an inclusive government in Syria. Such a government, she emphasized, must show no signs of “radicalization” and uphold the rights of women and other groups. She also warned that the bloc could quickly reverse any steps taken regarding sanctions.

Following Sunday’s talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister urged the removal of sanctions on Syria:

We stressed the importance of lifting unilateral and international sanctions imposed on Syria, as their continuation hinders the aspirations of the Syrian people to achieve development and reconstruction,

-Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud stated.

Al Jazeera and agencies

 

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