<h6><strong>Eduardo González</strong></h6> <h4><strong>Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares will attend the first meeting of his EU counterparts in 2025 in Brussels on Monday, where he will present his proposal, announced by himself in Damascus, for the “progressive” lifting of sanctions on Syria as long as the “red lines” defended by Spain regarding the rights of women and minorities, territorial integrity and foreign interference are respected.</strong></h4> The Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), chaired by the High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy of the EU, Kaja Kallas, will analyse the situation in the Middle East after the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, including humanitarian support for the Palestinians and the situation in Syria. Specifically, Kallas is expected to brief ministers on preparations for an Association Council with Israel and the first High Level Dialogue with the Palestinian Authority and the Council is expected to discuss EU support to the Lebanese Armed Forces and institutions, with a view to consolidating the ceasefire agreed in November 2024. Ministers could also discuss a possible revival of the EU-Lebanon Partnership. As regards Syria, the December 2024 European Council highlighted, following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime, the “historic opportunity” to reunify and rebuild the country and underlined the importance of an inclusive, Syrian-led political process that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people, in line with the basic principles of UN Security Council Resolution 2254. The European Council invited the Commission and the High Representative to present to the Council options for measures to support Syria and, in this context, the Foreign Affairs Council will exchange views on EU support for Syria and the possible relaxation of the EU sanctions framework. Specifically, José Manuel Albares assured his EU counterparts in Brussels on 16 January that he would propose to his EU counterparts the “progressive” lifting of sanctions on Syria provided that the “red lines” defended by Spain are met. Albares made this announcement in his appearance before the media after meeting with the new strongman of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, leader of the Islamist group Levant Liberation Organisation, which on 8 December put an end to fifty years of the Al Assad dynasty by force of arms. At that meeting, he explained, he had conveyed to the Syrian leader the “red lines” defended by Spain to begin a new stage of rapprochement with Syria: “rights of women, of minorities, reintegration of all armed militias, avoiding external interference, guarantee of territorial integrity, control of weapons and destruction of synthetic drug laboratories.” “The answers I have received give me assurances that the path that is to be taken is precisely the one that Spain proposes,” Albares said. “I have been told that the desire is to move towards elections as soon as possible,” he continued. “Therefore, I believe that in the next debate (of the Foreign Affairs Council) we must all be very aware that the progressive lifting of sanctions, if these authorities continue along this path, is another way of helping the reconstruction of Syria,” he declared. “We are willing to make proposals and discuss at the Brussels table the progressive lifting of sanctions on Syria to alleviate its economic situation and allow progress to be made in reconstruction,” he added. The lifting of sanctions requires unanimity from the 27 EU Member States. Germany, France, Finland, Denmark and the Netherlands have already proposed some lifting of economic, financial and energy restrictions on Damascus, an issue that the FAC will address and that could be the prelude to the entry of Spanish investments in Syria. <h5><strong>Other issues</strong></h5> The FAC on Monday will also address the evolution of transatlantic relations after Donald Trump took office as President of the United States. The ministerial debate will aim to forge a common understanding between the Member States on transatlantic relations: identifying challenges, agreeing on priorities, outlining opportunities for a positive agenda and coordinating participation. Ministers will also discuss Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, following an informal exchange of views via video conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and discuss how to increase EU military support to Ukraine in different areas, such as ammunition, air defence or training and equipping forces. Another focus of the ministerial discussion will be how to increase pressure on Russia, including through sanctions, on which a 16th sanctions package is being worked on. They will also exchange views on accountability efforts, including the final work in the Core Group on the Special Tribunal for crimes of aggression.
