Ankara: Syria on Wednesday welcomed the US administration's decision to begin removing the country from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism, calling the move an 'important development' in bilateral relations. The Syrian Foreign Ministry expressed approval of Washington's announcement following discussions between President Ahmed al-Sharaa and US President Donald Trump in Ankara. The ministry also appreciated Trump's formal notification to Congress regarding his intention to rescind the designation.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Syrian Foreign Ministry stated that this move signifies 'an important development in the course of Syrian-US relations based on dialogue, mutual respect, and shared interests.' The ministry highlighted that removing the designation, along with lifting sanctions, would enhance prospects for economic recovery, create favorable conditions for reconstruction, encourage international trade and investment, and support regional security and stability.
The ministry reiterated its hope for ongoing constructive engagement with the United States to strengthen bilateral ties and advance peace, development, and prosperity. Earlier Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Trump had formally notified Congress of the administration's intention to rescind Syria's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism after the obligatory 45-day congressional notification period.
Rubio praised Trump's decision, stating, 'This is yet another historic step by President Trump to give the Syrian people a chance at greatness.' He added that lifting sanctions on Syria would unlock international trade and investment, provide Syria an opportunity to rebuild, and open a new chapter for its people.
The announcement came after a meeting between Trump and al-Sharaa on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, where Trump indicated the likelihood of removing Syria from the terrorism list. Despite the lifting of most US sanctions following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, Syria has remained on Washington's list of state sponsors of terrorism since 1979, a designation regarded as a significant barrier to the country's economic recovery.