EU prepared to lift sanctions on Syria, says Austrian MFA

The European Union (EU) is ready to lift sanctions against Syria, but then it can return them if the new leadership in Damascus does not fulfill its obligations, the Acting Chancellor of Austria, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg stated, Report informs via TASS.

"Syria is at a crossroads. We are not naive: if the new leadership in Damascus does not fulfill its obligations, the measures will be resumed," Financial Times quotes the minister as saying.

According to the newspaper, Schallenberg and Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani sent a letter to the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, in which they outlined their position on sanctions against Syria.

The diplomats noted in their letter that they "strongly advocate a comprehensive easing of the EU sanctions regime against Syria." Such a decision, in their opinion, will facilitate "access to humanitarian aid and stimulate foreign investment."

Brussels will host a meeting of EU foreign ministers on the lifting of sanctions against Syria today. According to the newspaper, the roadmap prepared by European diplomats suggests a six-stage process of lifting sanctions. EU representatives do not plan to lift all sanctions against the Arab republic. A political agreement on this plan can be reached as early as January 27, and specific legal processes will be officially agreed upon before June.