Syrian Minister for Public Administration Hussein Makhlouf, who also chairs the country's refugees committee, called on Germany on Monday to lift the anti-Syrian sanctions in a bid to facilitate the country's restoration and civilians' return.
DAMASCUS (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 13th August, 2018) Syrian Minister for Public Administration Hussein Makhlouf, who also chairs the country's refugees committee, called on Germany on Monday to lift the anti-Syrian sanctions in a bid to facilitate the country's restoration and civilians' return.
"I want to address the German government through you and ask for lifting the unilateral sanctions against Syria," Makhlouf told reporters.
According to the official, the European sanctions have been instigated by the United States and hinder the post-crisis restoration of Syria,
Lifting the anti-Syrian sanctions would contribute to the return of refugees, Makhlouf said.
Also, the minister commended Russia's efforts on Syria's restoration.
"We highly appreciate the efforts which Russia makes on the international arena and in the international organizations on providing relevant support and restoring what was destroyed by terrorism," the minister said, adding that revitalizing the country's economy was the most crucial factor contributing to the refugees return.
Since 2011, the European Union has been imposing restrictive measures against the Syrian government officials and entities over "the violent repression of the civilian population in Syria." The latest extension of the sanctions took place in May. The restrictions which are currently in place until June next year, include oil embargo, investment restrictions, assets freezes, ban on selling "equipment and technology that might be used for internal repression" to Syria.
According to the United Nations, over 5.6 million people have fled Syria and over 6.6 million have been internally displaced since the onset of the conflict in 2011.
