US-Saudi Arabia, 600 billion USD deal - Trump announces lifting of sanctions on Syria
US President Donald Trump kicked off his trip to the Persian Gulf with a surprise announcement that the United States would lift long-standing sanctions on Syria. He also secured a $600 billion commitment from Saudi Arabia to invest in the US.
The United States has agreed to sell Saudi Arabia a weapons package worth nearly $142 billion, according to the White House, which called it "the largest defense cooperation deal" Washington has ever made.
The end of sanctions on Syria would be a huge boost for a country that has been torn apart by civil war for more than a decade.
Speaking at an investment forum in Riyadh, Trump said he was lifting the sanctions at the request of Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The US leader stressed that the sanctions had served an important function, but "now it is time for the country to move forward," he said.
The move represents a major shift in US policy. The United States designated Syria a state sponsor of terrorism in 1979, imposed sanctions in 2004, and added further sanctions after the outbreak of civil war in 2011.
Among other things, Trump and the Saudi crown prince signed an agreement covering energy, defense and mining. He has sought to strengthen relations with the Saudis to improve regional ties with Israel and act as a bulwark against Iran.
The agreement covers contracts with many American defense companies, including air and missile defense, maritime security, and communications.
Saudi Arabia is one of the largest customers for US weapons, and the countries have maintained strong ties for decades. The kingdom supplies Washington with oil and the superpower provides security in the region.
Poll
Students choose technology, agriculture is "abandoned"/ Number of higher education graduations increases for the 2023-24 school year
Data from the Institute of Statistics on graduation statistics show a decline in the number of graduates during the 2023-24 school year. During this period,......
440 million euros in the pension scheme - 3-month period, exceeding the plan by 13 million euros
The year 2025 has started well for the budget of the Social Security Institute and the pension scheme, as revenues from social and health insurance......
Albania-EU, 63.48 million euros for youth employment - Agreement aims at access to the labor market
The financing agreement between Albania and the European Commission for the multiannual operational program for youth employment has been submitted to the......
Socialists, deeper victory than in 2021 - So far, they secure 9 more mandates. Democrats, 9 fewer
The Socialist Party will lead the country for the next 4 years. To win its fourth mandate, the Socialist Party has secured a deeper victory than in the 2021......
China challenges the limits of humanoid robotics - $137 billion in support for startups in this sector
After the "artificial intelligence race," the time has come for humanoid robots. China's humanoid robots aim to boost economic growth and bring advantages to......
IdentiTek announces: Offices in Tirana, Vora, Kamez and Kruja will be closed on May 15-16!
IdentiTek SHA announces that due to the measures taken by the General Directorate of the State Police, regarding the organization of the "European Political......
US budget surplus increases in April - But annual deficit exceeds 1 trillion USD, 23% more than last year
The United States government recorded a budget surplus of $258 billion for April, up 23% or about $49 billion compared to a year earlier. The Treasury......
World leaders congratulate Rama on his victory in the May 11 elections!
World leaders have congratulated the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, on the victory of the Socialist Party in the May 11 elections. The first to......
