The US special envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, expressed on Thursday the necessity of “redefining” the Middle Eastern country’s relations with Turkey and Israel as a “next step” to pave the way for peace in the region.
The US Ambassador to Turkey also highlighted the important meeting of Secretary of State Marco Rubio with the Turkish and Syrian Foreign Ministers Hakan Fidan and Asaad Al-Shibani, respectively, during which the “framework was laid” to lay the foundations for relations between the two parties in the future.
Hence, he stressed the importance of “integrating the Syrian Democratic Forces into Syria’s economic, military, and civilian structures, and redefining this country’s relations with Türkiye and Israel.”
In this sense, he asked the US Congress to permanently withdraw the sanctions imposed on Syria, which “will now actively help dismantle groups such as ISIS, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist networks.” He added in a statement published on social media, “Syria will emerge as a committed partner in the global effort to achieve peace.”
He added: “We urge Congress to take this historic step. We have come a long way, but now we need one last strong push to strengthen the new Syrian government, revive its economy, and allow the Syrian people and their regional neighbors not only to survive, but to thrive.”
He also stressed the importance of “Türkiye’s tireless role, which deserves special appreciation and is a testament to discreet and resolute diplomacy, which allows us to build bridges where there were walls before.”
He ventured, saying: “The road will not be easy. Integration is a process, not an event, and one man’s vision is now shared by many and could become a reality,” before calling for “a real opportunity for Syria.”
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