The Netherlands opposes plans for quick easing of sanctions against Syria

The Cabinet is not in favor of quickly easing sanctions against Syria. But the Netherlands is one of the very few countries with this position, Caspar Veldkamp, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, said on Tuesday night in parliament. “The pressure is increasing. Especially from countries with trade interests.”

The European Union has already suspended some of the sectoral sanctions, such as those against banks. Many countries want to ease more of these sanctions. The Netherlands is reluctant to do so, the minister said. He will likely “hit the brakes” during his visit to Brussels next week in order to prevent a quick easing of the sanctions.

Veldkamp wants the new Syrian regime, which has roots in jihadism, to supply evidence that it wants to share its power and protect the minorities in the country. The minister, therefore, does not want to lift sanctions against individuals such as those against the new Syrian president for the time being.

The President of the United States, Donald Trump, announced that he was lifting all sanctions against Syria on Tuesday. Veldkamp wishes to wait and see what the effects of this will be. "We often see American announcements that are not fully followed up on.”

But if all sanctions imposed in 2019 are genuinely lifted, " then that would be quite something," Veldkamp said.