Syria
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul speaks to Rudaw on the sidelines of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels On May 20, 2025. Photo: Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul announced Berlin’s readiness to support Syria’s economic and political recovery, emphasizing the need for inclusive governance from the country’s new leadership. His remarks came on Tuesday, the same day the European Union officially lifted economic sanctions on Syria.
Speaking to Rudaw’s Alla Shally on the sidelines of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, Wadephul stated, “We expect inclusive policies from the Syrian government that involve all ethnic and religious groups.”
“Syria has always been a multifaceted country,” he added. “We want to help the [Damascus] government practically advance the country to a good economic and political level.”
Wadephul also reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to combating terrorism, noting, “We [Germany] see that the war against terrorism is necessary.”
Germany remains a member of the US-led Global Coalition Against ISIS.
Later that day, the EU officially decided to lift its economic sanctions on Syria.
In a statement on X, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Vice President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, said, “We took the decision to lift our economic sanctions on Syria.”
“We want to help the Syrian people rebuild a new, inclusive, and peaceful Syria,” she added, reaffirming the EU’s long-standing support for the Syrian population.
Prior to her announcement, the EU foreign policy chief told Rudaw that the EU had been "working on lifting sanctions imposed on Syria since the beginning of this year to help the Syrian people.”
Kallas said that EU member states aim to support economic growth and stability in Syria. “Creating jobs and improving livelihoods will help stabilize the country. To make that possible, we need to lift the sanctions.”
The decision follows significant political changes in Syria. In early December, a swift offensive led by a coalition of opposition groups, headed by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), ousted longtime Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. HTS’s then-leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, was appointed interim president in January.
Since assuming power, the new leadership in Damascus has prioritized the removal of international sanctions. While several countries have moved to ease Assad-era restrictions, they have conditioned these steps on measurable progress in human rights and inclusive governance.
In February, Kallas told Rudaw that “any new government in Syria must represent the country’s diverse ethnic and religious communities,” warning that “if progress stalls, we’re ready to reinstate the lifted sanctions.”
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