Washington, July 13 (SANA)US Senator Elissa Slotkin has welcomed the Trump administration’s decision to remove Syria’s name from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list, affirming that the time has come to open a new chapter in relations between Damascus and Washington.

“I want to welcome the announcement that the United States intends to remove Syria from the State Sponsor of Terrorism list,” Slotkin said Monday in a post on X. “It’s clear that this designation has been a roadblock to Syria’s much-needed reconstruction and economic development after more than a decade of conflict,” she added.

As I get back to Washington, D.C., I want to welcome the announcement that the United States intends to remove Syria from the State Sponsor of Terrorism list. It's clear that this designation has been a roadblock to Syria's much-needed reconstruction and economic development —…

Slotkin said the new Syrian government has shown a genuine willingness to combat terrorism, adding: “It’s time to open a new chapter in the US-Syria relationship and to give Syrians a real chance at stability and economic development.”

Slotkin, a Democratic senator from Michigan, has previously pressed the State Department to ease restrictions on Syria. The US State Department said in a statement on Tuesday that removing Syria’sState Sponsor of Terrorismdesignation will unlock international trade andinvestment, give Syria a chance to rebuild, and open up a new chapter for the Syrian people.

On July 8, PresidentAhmad al-Sharaareceived a letter from US PresidentDonald Trumpconfirming that Congress had been notified of the decision to initiate the process of rescinding Syria’s State Sponsor of Terrorism designation, in place since 1979. A 45-day congressional review period will follow before the delisting takes effect.