Syria's transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa said Syria has embarked on a new chapter in its history and international relations, stressing that the country is regaining its regional and global role after decades of isolation under the deposed regime.

Axar.az reports that in an interview with Al Jazeera on Sunday, President al-Sharaa affirmed that Syria is an important country with a strategic location and serves as a major regional trade hub, but the ousted regime’s policies over the past 60 years isolated it from both its regional and international surroundings.

“We have succeeded in delivering our message to countries around the world, and we have begun a new chapter for Syria that has been met with a very positive response from the United States and European countries,” President al-Sharaa said.

President al-Sharaa pointed out that lifting economic sanctions on Syria would not have its full impact unless the country’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism is also removed, noting that Syria and Western countries share significant economic, commercial and technical interests.

President al-Sharaa added thta Syria maintains historic ties with Russia and shares major interests with Moscow, adding that Russia had moved quickly to open a new chapter in bilateral relations.

“Discussions on the future of Russian military bases in Syria are still ongoing,” President al-Sharaa affirmed.