Syrian Foreign Minister, US envoy discuss completion of sanctions lifting on Syria

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani met with US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack to discuss the completion of the process of lifting sanctions on Syria as well as the latest developments in the Middle East region. According to an official statement from the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday (17/8), the meeting took place in Istanbul, Turkey. Barrack also serves as the US Ambassador to Turkey. “During the meeting, the two sides discussed various efforts to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, the latest developments in the region, and the prospects for Syria’s economic recovery, including the completion of the process of lifting sanctions on the Syrian Arab Republic and the progress of the country’s reconstruction process,” the official statement said. In July, US President Donald Trump informed the US Congress of his intention to remove Syria from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. Syria has been on the list since 1979.