The oil and gas exploration contract between Russia and Syria is independent of the strict sanctions imposed on Syria by the European Union, and Europe is not in a position to influence it.
On December 25, Syria and Russia signed a contract for 25 years of offshore oil and gas exploration in Syrian territorial waters. Syrian oil exports are currently banned in the EU and the sale of oil equipment and services is also under EU sanctions and illegal.
However, the UN is unable to obtain unanimous support for broad sanctions against the Syrian regime, with Russia and China using their veto in the Security Council to block measures against Damascus. French Deputy Foreign Ministry Spokesman Vincent Floreani said at a briefing that "Not all European sanctions apply to relations between Russia and the Syrian regime. Our priority is to find a political solution that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people."
He also called for an end to the bombing of civilians, to provide access to humanitarian aid in order to help the civilian population in accordance with the requirements of the UN Security Council. More than 125,000 people are believed to have died in fighting in Syria since March 2011, and 5 million people have fled their homes and live in camps in dire conditions due to the fighting in Syria, so oil and gas developments should help rebuild their lives. .
