Syria on Wednesday welcomed the US administration's decision to begin removing the country from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, calling the move an "important development" in bilateral relations.
The Syrian Foreign Ministry welcomed US President Donald Trump's formal notification to Congress of his intention to rescind the designation, following talks with Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa in the Turkish capital, Ankara.
The ministry said the decision marked "an important development in the course of Syrian-US relations based on dialogue, mutual respect and shared interests."
It added that removing the designation, alongside the lifting of sanctions, would improve prospects for economic recovery, facilitate reconstruction, encourage international trade and investment, and contribute to regional security and stability.
The ministry also expressed hope for continued engagement with Washington to strengthen bilateral ties and advance peace, development and prosperity.
Washington moves to lift designation
Earlier on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Trump had formally notified Congress of his administration's intention to remove Syria from the state sponsors of terrorism list after the required 45-day congressional notification period.
"This is yet another historic step by President Trump to give the Syrian people a chance at greatness," Rubio said in a statement.
"Lifting sanctions on Syria will unlock international trade and investment, give Syria a chance to rebuild, and open up a new chapter for the Syrian people," he added.
The announcement followed a meeting between Trump and al Sharaa on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, where the US president said he was likely to remove Syria from the list.
Syria has remained on Washington's list of state sponsors of terrorism since 1979. Although most US sanctions were lifted following the fall of Bashar al Assad's regime, the designation has remained one of the main obstacles to the country's economic recovery.
