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Türkiye's Foreign Ministry welcomed the United States' decision to remove Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, a designation Damascus had held since 1979.
The U.S. Treasury Department announced Monday that Syria's removal from the list had officially taken effect.
"Treasury is following through on President Trump’s promise to give the Syrian people a chance at greatness," said U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, stating that "the action will help foster additional investment in Syria to promote political and economic stability."
Türkiye's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Ankara had long supported this step, noting that the U.S. decision removes one of the biggest obstacles to Syria's economic recovery and reconstruction.
"We welcome the U.S. decision to remove Syria from the State Sponsors of Terrorism List. We commend the constructive approach of the U.S. Administration, which has demonstrated its resolve in this regard, as well as that of the U.S. Congress, which has supported this process. We also congratulate the Syrian Government and people for their steadfastness. With this important step, which Türkiye has also long advocated, one of the major obstacles to Syria’s economic recovery and reconstruction has been overcome," the ministry said.
"We believe that this decision will give further impetus to efforts to strengthen Syria’s ties with the international community and establish lasting security and stability in the country," the statement added.
"At this juncture, we call on the international community to join forces to achieve the goal of a prosperous Syria and to fulfill its responsibilities to put an end to aggressive actions that jeopardize this vision," the ministry said.
Türkiye's Ambassador to Damascus Nuh Yilmaz said Monday that the decision paves the way for a "brighter future" for Syria and contributes to regional stability.
"The last obstacle standing in the way of our friend and brother Syria's integration with the world has finally been removed," Yilmaz said on the social media platform X.
Yilmaz said Syria's removal from the list was important not only for the country's normalization, stability and development, but also for peace and stability across the region.
"I congratulate all parties that contributed to the decision," he said, adding, "I hope this decision, which promises a bright future for Syria, will bring benefit to the entire Syrian people and the Syrian state."
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Syria had held the state sponsor of terrorism designation since 1979, a status shared only with Cuba, North Korea and Iran.
The designation carries restrictions on U.S. foreign assistance, defense exports and sales, certain dual-use items and financial transactions, and had remained a major deterrent for banks and investors even after Washington dismantled its broader sanctions program on Syria.
Monday's action, posted on the U.S. Treasury's website, took effect after a 45-day congressional review period triggered when U.S. President Donald Trump formally notified Congress on July 8 of his intention to rescind the designation.
"This action unlocks new potential for Syria’s economic revitalization and progress. The Trump Administration continues to advance U.S. national security to achieve peace, prosperity, and security in the Middle East," U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement.
Monday's announcement also removed the designation of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist organization, leaving Cuba, Iran, and North Korea as the only remaining countries designated by Washington as state sponsors of terrorism.
Syria had been on the list since 1979, when Washington accused the government of former President Hafez Assad of supporting militant groups.
The designation remained throughout the rule of his son, Bashar Assad, who was toppled by groups led by current President Ahmad al-Sharaa in December 2024.
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