Damascus: Finance Minister Mohammad Abazid met with a delegation from the European Union (EU) mission to Syria, led by the mission’s charg© d’affaires, Michael Ohnmacht, along with European diplomat H©l¨ne Le Gal. The discussion centered around enhancing relations between Syria and the EU, with a specific focus on the necessity of lifting sanctions imposed on Syria during the previous regime’s tenure.

According to Syrian Arab News Agency, Minister Abazid praised the EU’s decision to suspend certain sanctions on Syria for a year and urged for further progress towards a complete and permanent removal of sanctions, especially those affecting the financial, banking, oil, and investment sectors. He emphasized that lifting these sanctions would attract new investments from the EU and other countries, boosting the Syrian economy and improving the living conditions of its citizens.

Abazid also called for the unfreezing of Syrian government assets in European banks, arguing that there is no longer a justification for these sanctions after the fall of the previous regime. He expressed optimism about strengthening relations between Syria and Western Europe, aiming to transform Syria into a beacon of security and peace, contrasting with its past under the former regime.

Following the discussions, Mohammad al-Atasi, Director of Planning, Studies, and International Cooperation at the Ministry of Finance, communicated to SANA that the meeting highlighted the lifting of sanctions, particularly in the financial, banking, and investment sectors. Al-Atasi noted the EU partners’ expressed intention to lift the sanctions, acknowledging that it would involve time and procedural steps. He expressed hope that this meeting would pave the way for future effective meetings leading to decisions beneficial to the Syrian people.