Faisal Abbas 
Stephanie McCulum choosing to be the unacceptable Canada Ambassador to Damascus (screen shot)
Canada announced, yesterday, Wednesday, its intention to reduce its financial penalties for Syria and appoint an ambassador in Damascus, in a move that comes at a time when the Syrian transitional authorities seek to obtain international support. “Canada can play an active role in enabling Syrians to build a universal state that respects all its citizens. We can help prevent Syria from falling into chaos and instability.”
The Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that the sanctions will be reduced “to allow money to be sent through some banks in the country, such as the Syrian Central Bank.” The statement added that the Canadian Ambassador to Lebanon, Stephanie McCulum, will take over an additional task, as she was also appointed as an unacceptable ambassador to Syria.
Similar to many other Western countries, Canada imposed strict sanctions on the regime of ousted President Bashar al -Assad. According to the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement, “these sanctions were used as a tool against the Assad regime, and to reduce them will help to enable the delivery of aid stable and sustainable, support the efforts of local development, and contribute to Syria’s high recovery.”
On February 14th, Syrian President Ahmed Al -Sharaa received a phone call from outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, congratulating him on his assumption of the presidency of the Syrian Arab Republic, stressing Canada’s support for the Syrian people to achieve progress and stability and enhance security in Syria, and he stressed Canada’s work to lift economic sanctions on Syria.
Trudeau announced that he would send a special envoy to Damascus as part of providing aid to the Syrian people. For his part, the Sharia welcomed Trudeau’s statements and expressed his thanks to Canada for hosting Syrian refugees, stressing the importance of strengthening diplomatic relations between Syria and Canada, and enhancing cooperation that contributes to achieving stability between the Syrian and Canadian people. After the call, Al -Shara met a delegation of Syrian events in Canada, at the People’s Palace in Damascus.
(France Press, the new Arab)
