Germany’s foreign minister said Sunday that sanctions against Syrian officials responsible for war crimes must remain in place but called for a “smart approach” to provide relief to the Syrian population after last month's overthrow of President Bashar Assad.

Syria’s transitional government “sounds good so far,” Germany’s foreign minister told POLITICO — but actions speak louder than words.

Germany’s foreign minister announced an additional 50 million euros for food, emergency shelters and medical care.

Germany has advocated a relaxation of some EU sanctions against Syria following the ouster of long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad as Saudi Arabia hosted Sunday an international conference on the situation in the war-shattered country.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Syrians needed "quick" relief and pledged additional aid. Syrian interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa is urging Western states to ease sanctions on the country.

The EU, United States, Britain and other governments imposed tough sanctions on Syria after Assad's crackdown on pro-democracy protests in 2011 spiraled into civil war. HTS has renounced its ties with Al Qaeda but is still designated a terrorist entity by the United Nations and U.S.

Germany is to provide an additional €50 million ($51 million) in humanitarian aid for Syria, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Sunday on the sidelines of an international conference in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh.