Ankara, July 8 (SANA) US Presidential Special Envoy for Syria and Iraq Thomas Barrack said that his high-level meeting with President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Ankara on Wednesday, attended by a delegation of members of the US Congress, reflects Syria’s importance and underscores its pivotal role in shaping the future of the Middle East.
In a post on X, Barrack said the meeting with President al-Sharaa highlighted Syria’s growing significance amid the rapid developments and complexities facing one of the world’s most sensitive regions.
“It was a profound honor to welcome His Excellency President Ahmad al-Sharaa to Ankara today for a pivotal, high-level meeting,” Barrack said, adding that congressional visits at this level are a cornerstone of US foreign policy.
He stressed that the engagement reflects growing momentum toward a stronger new chapter in US-Syria relations based on mutual trust, converging strategic interests and a shared commitment to achieving long-term regional stability.
Barrack added that the meeting carries historical significance by reaffirming Syria’s central role in shaping the future direction of the Middle East during a particularly sensitive regional period.
His remarks followed a meeting between President al-Sharaa and a US congressional delegation led by Senator Jeanne Shaheen and including Senators Chris Coons, Mike Rounds, Dick Durbin, Lindsey Graham, and Representative Michael Turner.
The landmark meeting coincided with the second day of the NATO Summit, following President al-Sharaa’s arrival at Ankara’s Esenboğa Airport earlier Wednesday, where he was formally received by Turkish officials.
The summit has brought together 32 heads of state, including US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and the leaders of Finland, Slovakia, Italy, Canada, Bulgaria, Albania and Montenegro.
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