🇪🇺🇩🇪🇫🇷❌🇸🇾 The German and French foreign ministers told the de-facto ruler of Syria, HTS emir, Mohammed al Jolani, that the EU will not lift sanctions and fund reconstruction “until a truly diverse & representative political structure is formed”.
📝: Some of the quotes coming out of the Franco-German delegation to Syria are unbelievable. Unbridled arrogance.
Insofar as it is necessary, Syria should have relations with the EU, especially with regards to Syrian refugee + diaspora, but in all other cases should explore alternative options. The EU's footprint must be extremely limited on the ground, starting from today.
Luckily we're in 2025, there are many options. The Gulf is eager for investment, the Turkic states through Turkiye are open, and East Asia sets a superior example for both public administration and economic development. Europe has nothing to offer except NGO money.
Syria's new govt needs to surge ahead with a focus on the GCC, Turkic states, and East Asia.
🔗 Charles Lister 
