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CHRISTDEM MEP CALLS FOR SUSPENDING SYRIA SANCTIONS IN LIGHT OF EARTHQUAKE

 

The European Union’s “politically motivated sanctions” against Syria should be suspended “before the situation in the country gets out of control” following last week’s devastating earthquake, György Hölvényi, an MEP of Hungary’s co-ruling Christian Democrats, said on Monday evening. Speaking to MTI about the humanitarian crisis in the region, Hölvényi said all aid sent to the areas affected by the earthquake in Syria and Türkiye must reach the disaster zones, adding that the EU’s sanctions against Syria should not hinder the post-quake reconstruction. The situation is difficult in both countries, but Syria has been embroiled in a civil war for nearly a decade, with millions having been forced to leave their homes, Hölvényi noted. Citing local churches, humanitarian partners and internationally recognised organisations, Hölvényi said the sanctions on bank transactions, electronic devices and the machinery needed to clear away the rubble were “severely hindering the humanitarian efforts”.
“These sanctions must be reviewed as quickly as possible,” he said, noting that millions in the country required urgent humanitarian assistance. More than 4.5 million people have been directly affected by the earthquake in Syria alone, the MEP said. The churches have effective aid groups operating in Syria, which have been carrying out important work independently of the government for years, Hölvényi said. These groups also participate in EU programmes, and it is important to support them, he added.