سورية: رفع العقوبات يخدم إعادة الإعمار

The Syrian Minister of Finance, Mohammad Yaser Barnieh, stated that lifting the American sanctions on his country serves the reconstruction, modernization of infrastructure, and opens the door for the return of investments. The official news agency "SANA" reported today (Saturday) that Barnieh said: "The announced freeze period is the maximum that the U.S. executive administration can take without returning to Congress," noting that work is currently underway to permanently abolish the law through legislation from Congress.

He confirmed that "this step opens the door wide for us to work hard to rebuild Syria and rid the Syrian economy of the constraints that have shackled it for years," expecting to see more joyful news in the near future. The minister concluded his statement by saying: "Be optimistic about Syria and its future."

For its part, the Syrian authorities expressed their welcome to the decision issued by the U.S. government to lift the sanctions imposed on it and its people for many years.

The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates stated in a statement via the "X" platform: "Damascus considers the decision a positive step in the right direction to alleviate the humanitarian and economic suffering in the country."

It emphasized that "Syria extends its hand to everyone who wishes to cooperate on the basis of mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs, and believes that dialogue and diplomacy are the best way to build balanced relations that achieve the interests of peoples and enhance security and stability in the region."

The administration of President Donald Trump granted comprehensive exemptions to Syria from sanctions yesterday (Friday) in a significant first step towards fulfilling the commitment to end the sanctions imposed on Syria for half a century.

The German news agency (dpa) reported today that U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Pisent said that the U.S. government has begun suspending sanctions on Syria, in an attempt to encourage new investments and support the country's path towards achieving peace and stability.

Pisent added: "As President Donald Trump pledged, the Treasury and State Departments are implementing mandates to encourage new investments in Syria."

The U.S. Treasury Department announced yesterday (Friday) the lifting of sanctions on Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara and Syrian Interior Minister Anas al-Khatib.

Sanctions were lifted from the central bank and several other banks, many state-owned oil and gas companies, ministries, Syrian Airlines, the Syrian Radio and Television Authority, and the ports of Latakia and Tartus.