United States, Turkey, Gulf nations, and Europe standing united alongside Syria, asserted US Ambassador
In a significant turn of events, the United States and Turkey have expressed renewed support for Syria's reconstruction, with a strong emphasis on diplomatic engagement and sanctions relief.
U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye and Special Envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack, declared on Sunday that America will stand in partnership with regional allies in support of Syrian reconstruction. In a post on social media, Barrack stated, "We are standing with Turkey, the Gulf, and Europe-this time not with troops and lectures, or imaginary boundaries, but shoulder-to-shoulder with the Syrian people themselves."
Barrack's remarks came days after a historic meeting between President Donald Trump and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh, marking a major shift in U.S. policy towards Syria. The EU, also seeking to support reconstruction efforts, recently lifted economic sanctions on Syria.
The U.S. policy change is evident in actions such as the issuance of general license sanctions relief and the 180-day waiver of mandatory Caesar Act sanctions. These moves aim to enable expanded transactions with Syria's public and private sectors, paving the way for economic engagement and ultimately supporting Syria’s recovery and regional reintegration.
President Trump's goal is to allow the new Syrian government to create conditions for the Syrian people not only to survive but thrive. Barrack emphasized that the cessation of sanctions will preserve the integrity of the primary objective—the enduring defeat of ISIS [ISIL] and will give the people of Syria a chance for a better future.
In a meeting on May 24 in Istanbul, Barrack and al-Sharaa discussed regional solutions and partnerships, emphasizing that the future of Syria will come with diplomacy grounded in respect. Barrack commended al-Sharaa on taking meaningful steps towards enacting President Trump's points on foreign terrorist fighters, counter-ISIS measures, relations with Israel, and camps and detention centers in NE Syria.
Both sides affirmed their commitment to continuing these important conversations and to working together to develop private sector investment in Syria to rebuild the economy, including through investment by regional and global partners such as Turkey, the Gulf, Europe, and the United States.
Simultaneously, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a meeting with his Syrian counterpart Sharaa in Istanbul on the same day. The talks were attended by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Defense Yaşar Güler, intelligence chief İbrahim Kalın, as well as Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani. The meeting marked Turkey's role as a facilitator in diplomatic engagements, further underscoring its commitment to regional stability.
As both nations work towards a peaceful and prosperous future for Syria, challenges persist, including ongoing conflict, corruption, and international skepticism about Syria's future stability. The success of these efforts will depend on the Syrian government's internal developments and the continued support of its international partners.
[Source: Reuters, Bloomberg, BBC, Turkish Foreign Ministry press service, and other wire services]
- The renewed support for Syria's reconstruction by the United States and Turkey, as expressed by Ambassador Tom Barrack, indicates a shift in policy-and-legislation, with a focus on diplomatic engagement and sanctions relief, influenced by war-and-conflicts and politics.
- General-news outlets report on the ongoing conversations between the U.S. and Syria, as well as Turkey's role as a facilitator in these diplomatic engagements, aimed at supporting Syria's economic recovery and regional reintegration amidst challenges such as ongoing conflict, corruption, and international skepticism about Syria's future stability.
