EU to Appoint Special Envoy for Syria Amidst Stance Against Normalization with Assad

The European Union (EU) is set to appoint a special envoy for Syria while maintaining its stance against normalizing relations with President Bashar Assad’s regime, as reported by Politico on Monday. This development follows recent calls from several EU nations, including Austria and Italy, advocating for the normalization of ties with Syria to aid in the deportation of migrants.

According to an unofficial memo from the European Commission, changing conditions and planned actions may necessitate increased on-the-ground interactions in Syria. The document suggests that EU representatives might engage in technical discussions locally with individuals who are not under sanctions, while strictly adhering to established “red lines” that prohibit direct engagement with Assad’s government.

Syria has faced sanctions imposed by the United States, the EU, and numerous other countries since the onset of its conflict in 2011. These sanctions include an embargo and impact third parties. Notably, US secondary sanctions, which had been limited prior, were expanded with the implementation of the Caesar Act in 2020, which was signed into law by then-President Donald Trump.