The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on May 15 that Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani met with his American counterpart, Marco Rubio, to discuss the details of lifting sanctions on Syria.

According to the ministry, “Minister al-Shaibani met with his American counterpart Rubio in Antalya, in the presence of their Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan.”

The statement added: “Minister al-Shaibani discussed with Secretary Rubio the details of lifting sanctions on Syria and improving bilateral relations. They also explored ways to build a strategic partnership.”

Speaking to reporters in Antalya, US Secretary Rubio said: “Washington will issue preliminary exemptions from the legal sanctions imposed on Syria, following President Donald Trump’s announcement to lift all sanctions on the country.”

“The US wants to do everything possible to help achieve peace and stability in Syria as it emerges from a 13-year conflict,” Rubio added.

Following talks with the Syrian foreign minister, Rubio confirmed that Syria’s new leadership has shown a desire for peace with Israel and committed to working towards a pluralistic society.

“They expressed interest in peace with all their neighbours, including Israel.” Rubio added.

A Trump administration official indicated that the US Treasury Department is likely to issue general licences covering a broad range of key sectors in the Syrian economy critical for reconstruction, referring to the sanctions currently in place on Syria.

This follows US President Donald Trump’s announcement from Saudi Arabia of his intention to lift all sanctions imposed on Syria.

The initiative marked a major shift in US policy just before Trump’s meeting on May 14 with Syria’s Islamist President Ahmed al-Sharaa, the Saudi Crown Prince and Erdogan, who joined virtually.

The White House confirmed that Trump had put forward a list of demands to al-Sharaa during their meeting. He also indicated that Rubio would go over additional aspects of the plan to normalise relations with Damascus in his talks with the Syrian Foreign Minister.

The removal of sanctions has been a long-standing goal for Saudi Arabia and Turkey, which have emerged as key foreign allies of Syria’s new leadership since al-Assad was ousted in December.

Erdogan has repeatedly urged Trump to rescind US sanctions on Syria since the president returned to the White House in January.

Speaking to state broadcaster TRT Haber ahead of an informal NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Antalya, Fidan described the leaders’ gathering as “of historic importance.”

He added that lifting sanctions would allow financial flows, investment, and infrastructure development in Syria, a country left politically fractured and devastated by war.

A day earlier, Fidan said, “Now tomorrow, we, as the three foreign ministers – Rubio, al-Shaibani, and myself – will come together after the NATO meeting in Antalya, and we will work on how to carry forward the details of the agreement that the leaders set the framework for and agreed upon.” 

“Of course, there is a (congressional) leg to this matter in the US; there is an administration leg, but there is a will that Trump has put forth from the start. Within the framework of this will and the work we will do, we hope the majority of these sanctions will be lifted as soon as possible,” he added.