DAMASCUS (Dispatches) – The Syrian Foreign Ministry called the European Union “spineless” and “out of touch with reality”, as well as an accomplice in the war against Syrians, over the bloc’s decision to extend sanctions against the country.
“Once again, the EU has proved how absolutely out of touch with reality it is, as well as proved its participation in the war against Syria, responsibility for the blood of the Syrian people and the destruction of their achievements”, the country’s foreign ministry said in a press release.
Damascus noted that the extension of “inhuman” unilateral sanctions has revealed that the EU is proud of “fake” values as such sanctions violate human rights and international humanitarian law.
The ministry said sanctions have become part of a war against Syria. However, Damascus stressed that Syrians were able to overcome terrorism and its sponsors, and demonstrated their readiness to prevent any further attempts to influence the county’s independence by actively participating in the recent presidential election.
“The European Union, encountering failure after failure due to its erroneous approach and blind adherence to the U.S.-dictated policy, has lost its authority and influence over the events in the region and in the world, and has become a spineless organization — colorless, tasteless, odorless”, the ministry said.
On Thursday, the EU Council extended the sanctions on Syria for yet another year, until 1 June 2022. This marks 11 years since the country became subject to western sanctions. The list includes 283 individuals and 70 organizations.
The European Union first imposed sanctions on Syria in May 2011 and has since renewed them annually.
The illegal measures came two months after a foreign-sponsored militancy erupted in Syria, with Western countries and their regional allies aiding Takfiri terrorist groups.
Now, after a decade-long battle, Syrian army forces, backed by Iran and Russia, have managed to win back control of almost all regions from terrorists.