Saudi Arabia and the UAE are lobbying with several European allies to restore diplomatic relations with Syria and ease economic sanctions on the war-torn nation, according to sources that spoke with
Bloomberg.
The efforts by the Gulf countries have been going on “at various levels for months,” with a particular focus on the lifting of sanctions, as officials argue that “diplomatic moves to end the 12-year conflict are futile unless sanctions are eased to help revive Syria’s collapsed economy.”
Syria’s economic recovery could open the doors for the return of millions of Syrian refugees back to their homeland, the Gulf officials reportedly argue, in turn easing pressure on regional countries that have borne the brunt of the refugee crisis created by the western-sponsored war – namely Lebanon, Jordan, and Turkiye.
After years of backing extremist groups that sought to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi recently restored relations with Damascus, drawing the ire of the west.
The Bloomberg report coincides with the arrival of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to France, where he is set to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron to “discuss the relationship between Paris and Riyadh” and topics relating to West Asia and the international community, according to a statement released by the Elysee Palace.
However, despite the reported efforts of Saudi Arabia and the UAE, on Thursday, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, said that EU policy towards Damascus “will not change.”
“I’m afraid we are very, very far from the full and comprehensive implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2254 and a lasting solution to the crisis in Syria. In fact, it is clear that progress has completely stopped. Nevertheless, signs of hope cannot be ignored,” Borrell said during the 7th Conference on Support for Syria in Brussels.
Borrell – who last year came under fire for racist comments against Global South nations – chided West Asian states for normalizing ties with Damascus.
“There is a process of normalization of relations between a number of Arab states and the regime in Damascus. We are also following Turkiye’s attempts to solve some of its problems through contact with the Syrian regime. This is not the path the EU would take. We will soon see if these efforts will convince the regime in Damascus to engage in dialogue with the Gulf states and Arab countries on various aspects of UN Security Council Resolution 2254,” the head of European diplomacy said.
US officials also recently started pushing legislation for further sanctions against Syria to prevent Arab normalization.
