Today, Wednesday, the Minister of Finance in the caretaker government, Mohamed Abazid, discussed the financial situation of his country and the possibility of alleviating the sanctions imposed on it at his first meeting with European Union officials since the opposition was overthrown by Bashar al -Assad’s regime last year.
Abazid met with the interim German envoy to Syria, Bjorn Germain and the representative of the European Union Michael Unmacht in Damascus a few days after the European Union approved a road map to alleviate its sanctions on Syria.
The Supreme Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union, Kaya Calas, announced on Monday the agreement of the Union’s foreign ministers on a road map to reduce sanctions on Syria.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan Al -Shaibani welcomed the European decision, describing it as a “positive step”, and also said, “We look forward to this decision that this decision will be reflected positively on all aspects of life for the Syrian people and secure sustainable development.
The European Union imposes a set of sanctions targeting individuals and economic sectors in Syria, including prohibiting Syrian oil exports and restrictions on reaching global financial channels.
Organizing the financial sector
“We hope that the image that Germany had to change from Syria will change before December,” Abazid told Jerman at the beginning of the meeting.
“It is a pleasure to be here in the new Syria after an absence of nearly 13 years.” He added, “We are now in the process of re -establishing our diplomatic existence in Damascus … We have a few questions and a few messages I would like to discuss with you today in order to start Our diplomatic relationships as well as financial issues. “
Germain told Reuters after the meeting that the European Union is still working on formulating details to determine the sanctions that Brussels will be lifted, indicating that it could take a few weeks.
He added, “This is the first discussion about the general situation and what we have heard so far was encouraging.”
He continued that the meeting touched on the financial situation in Syria, organizing the financial sector, and priorities of the reduction of sanctions.
Previous statements indicated that the lifting of sanctions would start from the sectors that would pave the way for the reconstruction of the country, especially energy and transportation.
On January 7, the US Treasury announced the reduction of sanctions imposed on Syria for a period of 6 months, with the aim of facilitating the continuation of basic services in the country.
