A: Hey there! Got any news?

B: Just a bit, actually. What's up?

A: Well, you remember that situation with Syria, right?

B: Yeah, the conflict, right...

A: Exactly! So, President Erdogan met with the interim Syrian leader this weekend in Istanbul.

B: That's interesting! And why's that, may I ask?

A: Well, it looks like the US eased some sanctions on Syria just a day before. They're now allowing new investment and transactions with the Syrian government.

B: Wow, so that's why Erdogan met with him! Turkey might be trying to boost their economy in Syria.

B: Yeah, you're right. The Syrian economy's been really struggling since the conflict started back in 2011.

A: Exactly, and it looks like they're hoping Western nations will lift those sanctions to help with rebuilding.

B: That sounds tough, but maybe this could be a step forward for them.
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Istanbul on Saturday.



The meeting came soon after the US President Donald Trump's administration eased sanctions on Syria.



The US said on Friday it had issued a general license that allows activities previously prohibited under the sanctions. New investment in Syria and transactions with the country's transitional government are now allowed.



The Turkish presidential office said Erdogan welcomed the de facto Syrian leader's visit and stressed that Turkey will strengthen cooperation with Syria, especially in the field of energy.



Turkey is apparently trying to step up economic engagement in Syria.



Syria's economy has been under strain due to years of internal conflict since 2011, and rebuilding it is a major challenge. The interim government had repeatedly called on Western nations to lift sanctions which had been imposed on the Bashar al-Assad regime.