European Commissioner calls for lifting coercive measures that obstruct the delivery of humanitarian aid to Syria, Iran, Venezuela and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell called for lifting off the coercive measures that impede the delivery of humanitarian aid to Syria, Iran, Venezuela and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) amid the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus epidemic around the world.

“In the case of the United Nations and the European Union, it is clear that sanctions do not constitute a problem in terms of facilitating the delivery of humanitarian assistance, but we ask other countries that impose sanctions to follow our example and take humanitarian exceptions to provide medical supplies and equipment to countries like Syria, Iran, the DPRK and Venezuela,” Borrell said at a news conference in Brussels on Monday.

“There are some countries  that refrain from participating in the flow of humanitarian aid because they are afraid of being   sanctioned themselves and I think it is necessary to be clear in these circumstances more than ever that there will be no sanctions on those who participate in the exchange of goods and services relating to the necessary humanitarian aid. ”, Borrrell said.

Borel expressed last week his support for the call of the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for the countries of the European Union to ease the sanctions imposed on some countries -sanctions that prevent the arrival of humanitarian aid in light of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Inas Abdulkareem