READOUT: Ranking Member Shaheen, Colleagues Meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa

ANKARA, TÜRKIYE - Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Co-Chair of the bipartisan Senate NATO Observer Group, met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on the sidelines of the 2026 NATO Summit, alongside other members of her congressional delegation.

Ranking Member Shaheen discussed the future of the U.S.-Syria relationship and highlighted Congress' successful repeal of Assad-era Caesar Act sanctions, which Senator Shaheen secured to give the Syrian people a real opportunity to rebuild after decades of war and dictatorship. She emphasized that Syria's recovery must be accompanied by inclusive governance, protection for all ethnic and religious communities and continued progress toward stability, accountability and economic opportunity. The leaders also discussed implementation of the agreement between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces as an important step toward national reconciliation and a unified Syria.

Senator Shaheen also reiterated the importance of removing Syria from the State Sponsor of Terror list in recognition of the new government's considerable progress in fighting terrorist groups and to help facilitate the flow of investment to promote stability and growth. She also discussed her bipartisan bill, recently advanced by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, to repeal remaining legislative sanctions and ensure the free flow of U.S. goods and technology critical to Syria's recovery.

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