Cuba renews its call for lifting coercive economic measures imposed on Syria

NEW YORK, Jul.23, (ST)-Cuba has  renewed its demand to lift the unilateral coercive economic measures imposed on Syria, stressing that these measures impede development in the country.

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly, the Deputy Permanent Representative of Cuba to the United Nations, Yuri Gala, denounced the double-standard policy being  followed by the United States.

“ While Washington expresses its concern over the humanitarian situation of the Syrian people, it is taking unilateral measures against it,” he said, stressing the importance of lifting these measures.

The Cuban diplomat expressed his rejection of any politicization of humanitarian aid and its use as a tool for political blackmail, stressing that any decision taken by the UN Security Council regarding the humanitarian situation in Syria must take into account its interests.

He added that sanctions and other unilateral coercive measures limit the sustainable development in Syria and cause suffering for the Syrian people, calling on the international community to cooperate with the Syrian government to ensure humanitarian aid delivery all Syrians.

He also called for respecting Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and to stop foreign intervention in its internal affairs.

Basma Qaddour