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Conflict in Syria

EU to condition lifting sanctions against Syria on Damascus meeting Brussels' demands

The EU sanctions regime against Syria under President Bashar Assad is the second largest in size after those against Russia and Belarus

ANKARA, December 17. /TASS/. The European Union will condition lifting sanctions against Syria on meeting Brussels’ demands, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said after meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"We would need to start a discussion on sanctions' relief. But this can only happen if real progress on a peaceful transition is seen on the ground," she said.

The EU sanctions regime against Syria under President Bashar Assad is the second largest in size after those against Russia and Belarus. Earlier, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said that one of the main demands for Brussels to the Syrian new authorities will be to expel Russian bases from the country.

Von der Leyen said that the topic of Syria was a key issue during the talks with Erdogan. She promised to resume diplomatic relations with the new authorities as soon as possible and to provide aid to the country until the end of the year, ensuring that Syria will receive a total of 160 million euros this year. She also promised to give Turkey another billion euros in aid to "support Syrian refugees," of whom there are about four million in the country.

Von der Leyen also ruled out mass deportations of Syrian migrants from the EU to their home country, saying that all returns should be "voluntary.".

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Syrian conflict

Conflict in Syria

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