Istanbul / Anadolu

Syria welcomed on Wednesday the US announcement of starting procedures to cancel its designation as a 'state sponsor of terrorism.'

It considered this step 'an important development in the course of relations between the two countries, based on dialogue and mutual respect.'

The Syrian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the country 'welcomes' Washington's announcement, following the talks held (Wednesday) in the Turkish capital Ankara, between Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara and his US counterpart Donald Trump, of 'starting procedures to cancel the law designating Syria as a state sponsor of terrorism, which was enacted in 1979.'

It added that Syria also welcomes 'the US president's notification to Congress of his intention to take this step (to cancel the law designating Syria as a state sponsor of terrorism).'

It pointed out that the step 'represents an important development in the course of Syrian-American relations based on dialogue, mutual respect, and common interests.'

The Syrian Foreign Ministry confirmed that 'lifting this designation, along with ending sanctions, would contribute to enhancing opportunities for economic recovery, creating the necessary environment for reconstruction, encouraging trade and investment, serving the interests of the Syrian people, and supporting security and stability in the region.'

Syria, according to the statement, expressed its 'aspiration to continue constructive work with the United States of America, to strengthen bilateral relations and achieve peace, development, and prosperity.'

Earlier on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Trump had officially informed Congress of his administration's intention to cancel Syria's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism.

Rubio said in a statement: 'President Trump informed Congress today of his administration's intention to cancel Syria's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, following the end of the 45-day congressional pre-notification period.'

He added that 'this is another historic step taken by President Trump to give the Syrian people a chance to achieve a better future.'

This step comes following Trump's meeting with al-Shara on Wednesday on the sidelines of their participation in the NATO summit in Ankara, where he announced his intention to lift this designation from Syria.

Rubio added that lifting this designation 'will open the door to international trade and investment' and give Syria 'an opportunity for reconstruction.'

Despite the lifting of most sanctions on Syria after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's regime, the country remains on the US list of state sponsors of terrorism since 1979, which US and Syrian experts and officials consider one of the most prominent remaining challenges to the recovery of the Syrian economy.

The United States placed Syria on the list of state sponsors of terrorism during the era of the late President Hafez al-Assad (1971-2000), on the grounds of its repeated support for groups that Washington classifies as 'terrorist.'