It is noted that this measure is temporary – the sanctions have been relaxed for six months.

The European Union decided to temporarily relax sanctions against Syria. Thus, they want to facilitate the delivery of aid to the country after the devastating earthquakes that occurred on February 6.

As noted by Le Figaro, after this decision, humanitarian organizations will not have to request prior authorization from the EU to send goods or provide services to organizations subject to EU sanctions.

These sanctions are known to have been imposed against the Syrian government and related companies in 2011. 291 individuals and 70 legal entities were subject to restrictions. These include asset freezes and travel bans.

It said the sanctions had been eased for six months because they were hampering Europe’s efforts to provide humanitarian aid to the country after the massive earthquake.

Earthquakes in Syria

On February 6, 2023, powerful earthquakes with a magnitude greater than 7 occurred in Syria and southeastern Turkey. According to the latest data, the death toll in both countries reached 50,000.

On February 20, a powerful earthquake occurred again in the area near the borders of Turkey and Syria. Its magnitude was 6.4.

UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Aid and Emergency Coordinator Martin Griffiths said that amid the general attention to mass destruction and casualties in Turkey, residents of neighboring areas of Syria, which were also affected by the earthquake, were abandoned by the international community.