Syria, Egypt FMs Discuss Regional Peace

Syria's foreign minister, Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, speaks during a press conference in Damascus, Syria, December 30, 2024. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi
Syria's foreign minister, Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, speaks during a press conference in Damascus, Syria, December 30, 2024. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi
TT

Syria, Egypt FMs Discuss Regional Peace

Syria's foreign minister, Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, speaks during a press conference in Damascus, Syria, December 30, 2024. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi
Syria's foreign minister, Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, speaks during a press conference in Damascus, Syria, December 30, 2024. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, appointed by the new rulers, said on social media on Tuesday that he had received a phone call from his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, in which they discussed the importance of both countries in bringing peace to the region.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Abdelatty stressed his country's support for the Syrian people and its legitimate aspirations, calling on all parties to "preserve Syria's national institutions, its unity and sovereignty."

Egypt's top diplomat also emphasized the importance that "the political process adopts an inclusive approach" for all Syrian national parties, reflecting the societal, religious, sectarian and ethnic diversity within Syria.

Both ministers agreed to stay in contact.



EU Could Lift Some Syria Sanctions Quickly

FILED - 30 September 2024, Lebanon, Beirut: French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot speaks during a press conference at the Pine Residence, the official residence of the French ambassador to Lebanon. Photo: Marwan Naamani/dpa
FILED - 30 September 2024, Lebanon, Beirut: French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot speaks during a press conference at the Pine Residence, the official residence of the French ambassador to Lebanon. Photo: Marwan Naamani/dpa
TT

EU Could Lift Some Syria Sanctions Quickly

FILED - 30 September 2024, Lebanon, Beirut: French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot speaks during a press conference at the Pine Residence, the official residence of the French ambassador to Lebanon. Photo: Marwan Naamani/dpa
FILED - 30 September 2024, Lebanon, Beirut: French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot speaks during a press conference at the Pine Residence, the official residence of the French ambassador to Lebanon. Photo: Marwan Naamani/dpa

European Union sanctions in Syria that obstruct the delivery of humanitarian aid and hinder the country's recovery could be lifted swiftly, France's foreign minister said Wednesday.
The United States on Monday issued a sanctions exemption for transactions with governing institutions in Syria for six months after the end of Bashar al-Assad's rule to try to ease the flow of humanitarian assistance.
Speaking to France Inter radio, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said the EU could take a similar decision soon without giving precise timing, while adding that lifting more political sanctions would depend on how Syria's new leadership handled the transition and ensured exclusivity.
"There are other (sanctions), which today hinder access to humanitarian aid, which hinder the recovery of the country. These could be lifted quickly," said Barrot, who met Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa on Friday with Germany's foreign minister.
"Finally, there are other sanctions, which we are discussing with our European partners, which could be lifted, but obviously depending on the pace at which our expectations for Syria regarding women and security are taken into account."
Three European diplomats speaking on condition of anonymity said the EU would seek to agree to lift some sanctions by the time the bloc's 27 foreign ministers meet in Brussels on Jan. 27.
Two of the diplomats said one aim was to facilitate financial transactions to allow funds to return to the country, ease air transport and lessen sanctions targeting the energy sector to improve power supplies.
Syria suffers from severe power shortages, with state-supplied electricity available two or three hours per day in most areas. The caretaker government says it aims to provide electricity for up to eight hours per day within two months.
The US waivers allow some energy transactions and personal remittances to Syria until July 7, but do not remove any sanctions.