Germany Proposes an Innovative Approach to Sanctions on Syria
January 12, 2025, 11:15 am

Germany Proposes an Innovative Approach to Sanctions on Syria

أنالينا بيربوك والشرع

During its participation in the expanded meeting on Syria in Riyadh, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock proposed the need for a smart approach to the Western sanctions imposed on Syria.

Baerbock stated during a brief press briefing on Sunday that Germany seeks to "implement a smart approach to sanctions aimed at alleviating the suffering of the Syrian people and enabling them to reap the benefits of political transformation more quickly."

The minister confirmed the continuation of sanctions against "those complicit with former President Bashar al-Assad, who committed serious violations during the civil war."

Baerbock also announced an allocation of an additional 50 million euros to support Damascus in providing food, emergency shelter, and essential medical services.

These statements come after confirmation from sources in the German Foreign Ministry last Tuesday that Berlin is leading discussions within the European Union to explore the possibility of easing sanctions imposed on Syria to help the Syrian people.

This initiative follows Baerbock's visit to Damascus and her meeting with the head of the new Syrian administration, Ahmad al-Shara.

Berlin, like many other European capitals, indicates that the complete lifting of sanctions depends on what is referred to as the "new governance map in Syria," which requires the formation of a government that represents all spectrums and orientations, in addition to protecting human rights and combating terrorism.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”