Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with Turkish President Erdogan in Istanbul following the U.S. and EU’s decision to lift sanctions on Syria. The leaders discussed strengthening bilateral relations and the reconstruction of war-torn Syria. The Syrian government welcomed this development, which could alleviate humanitarian issues in the country.
In a significant diplomatic development, Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa conducted a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul. This meeting occurred following the recent lifting of Western sanctions aimed at facilitating the recovery and reconstruction of Syria, a nation ravaged by civil war. The two leaders were seen publicly together, shaking hands during an official reception, which was covered by Turkey’s state media.
This meeting on Saturday also included high-ranking Turkish officials such as Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Defence Minister Yasar Guler, although the discussions were held behind closed doors. Accompanying President al-Sharaa were Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani. This highlights the prominence of the Syrian leadership during this pivotal moment.
The talks between Erdogan and al-Sharaa are framed within the context of strengthening bilateral relations and prioritizing the reconstruction efforts in Syria. These discussions have gained urgency, particularly after regional allies engaged with U.S. President Donald Trump to ease sanctions on Syria, which had been crippling the economy since the outbreak of civil war.
On Friday, the United States initiated the lifting of several key sanctions as part of a broader strategy outlined by President Trump during his recent Middle Eastern tour. The European Union quickly followed suit, thereby removing economic sanctions to aid Syria’s recovery.
The newly established Syrian government has expressed its approval of the sanctions’ removal. According to a statement from Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday, this move is seen as a “positive step in the right direction” to alleviate the humanitarian and economic dilemmas currently plaguing the country.
Historically, the first sanctions against Syria were implemented in 1979 under Hafez al-Assad’s regime; however, Following the Syrian government’s violent response to protests that commenced in 2011, sanctions intensified significantly. These measures had aimed at restricting any support for the Assad government affecting sectors crucial to Syria’s rebuilding process.
In summary, the meeting between Ahmed al-Sharaa and Recep Tayyip Erdogan marks a crucial step following the lifting of sanctions by the U.S. and EU, aiming to facilitate Syria’s recovery after an extended civil war. With Turkish support and international cooperation, both leaders are now focusing on rebuilding and restoring Syria’s economy. The Syrian government has hailed the removal of sanctions as an important turning point in addressing the nation’s pressing humanitarian needs and economic struggles.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
