Al-Shibani: All sanctions imposed on Syria must be lifted

BERLIN, Feb.15, (ST)-Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, As’ad Al-Shibani, has affirmed that the economic sanctions imposed on Syria are tying the hands of its people, and they must be lifted to achieve economic renaissance.

His remark was made during a dialogue held today with the participation of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan within the Munich Security Conference in Germany.

Al-Shibani said: “Economic sanctions were imposed on the ousted regime, and they should have been removed with its fall. It is true that there are exceptions from the United States and Europe, but they are not enough, and all sanctions must be lifted to open the way for the Syrian people, and this will be a guarantee of their stability.”

He went on to say: “If the matter of sanctions is not resolved, and Syria is still unable to link the central bank with the international financial system SWIFT, reconstruction process will be hindered and Syrians will be unable to return to their normal lives….There are two million in the camps, and therefore the sanctions must be lifted, so that Syria will be able to provide a good life for its people at home, or convince refugees abroad to return to their homeland.*

Al-Shibani pointed out that the new Syrian administration inherited an economic disaster from the ousted regime, and the incomes of the ordinary citizen are very low, but we will not surrender. We work to improve the Syrian pound, and reform the Ministry of Finance and other ministries, with the aim of reforming the economy exhausted by the policies of the ousted regime.

The Foreign Minister underscored that the diversity in Syria supports its strength, and that the world will be surprised by the awareness of the Syrians regarding the issue of representing themselves.

Moreover, he indicating that the next government will be based on competence and will not be based on sectarian quotas, as the criterion for appointments is merit and national interest, and power will be in the hands of the Syrian people and not in the hands of one person.

Al-Shibani stressed that the Syrian people are determined to achieve national interests, and they need to be given the opportunity to demonstrate their success. He stressed that achieving victory at the hands of the Syrians without international intervention is the greatest achievement.

The minister indicated that “Israel” is destabilizing the region, and it must abide by the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, stressing that the occupied Golan is Syrian land and no one has the right to give it to anyone.

He expressed Syria’s aspiration to have good relations with the new American administration, as the two countries have a common interest in many matters on which they can agree, for the sake of the security and stability of Syria and the interests of the United States and the entire world.

Basma Qaddour