ABU DHABI, 19th March, 2023 (WAM) — President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Bashar Al-Assad, President of the Syrian Arab Republic, today discussed the fraternal relations between the two countries and ways to strengthen cooperation and constructive joint work which would contribute to achieving their mutual interests.
During the meeting at Qasr Al Watan, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed welcomed the Syrian President and his delegation in his second country.
He pointed out that the visit coincides with the visit that the Syrian President paid to the country in March last year.
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed offered his condolences to the Syrian President and the people of Syria for the earthquake victims.
He expressed confidence in Syria’s ability and the determination of its people to overcome this ordeal and move Syria to a new era of stability and prosperity.
Al-Assad briefed President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed on the latest political developments in the Syrian arena and the repercussions of the earthquake the country witnessed. The UAE President emphasised the UAE’s solidarity with Syria and its standing by its fraternal people in these circumstances.
He added,“Your brothers in the UAE stand with you closely. Syria’s absence has been for too long. It is time for Syria to return to it’s brothers and its place in the Arab world.”

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed drew attention to the need to make all available efforts to facilitate the return of Syrian refugees with dignity to their country.
He also expressed the UAE’s support for the dialogue between Syria and Turkey to make progress in the return of refugees.
He also praised the role of the Syrian community in the UAE and their contribution to the UAE’s journey of construction and development.

He emphasised the depth of the established relations between the two fraternal peoples.
The Syrian President extended thanks and appreciation to the UAE government and people’s position and their immediate response while addressing the ordeal caused by the earthquake.
He also said that the UAE’s assistance was qualitative and provided with love, friendship and fraternity, leaving a significant impact on the Syrian people.
Al-Assad also extended thanks and appreciation for the UAE’s embrace of the Syrian community during various circumstances.
He lauded the virtues, values and deep-rooted approach in establishing the UAE, reflected in the Emirati stance towards fraternal countries.
The Syrian President emphasised his country’s keenness on the sustainability of enhancing its fraternal relations with the UAE.
He thanked President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed for the warm welcome and hospitality since his arrival with his delegation to the UAE.
The Syrian President left a note in the VIP guest book, expressing his happiness at visiting the UAE and wishing that the visit would be a good beginning for further development and prosperity in the relations between the two brotherly countries.
Among those who attended the banquet from the UAE side were H.H. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Adviser; H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court; H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Advisor for Special Affairs at the Ministry of Presidential Court; Ali bin Hammad Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for National Security; Dr. Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President; Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy; Abdullah bin Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, Minister of Justice; and Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, Minister of State.
The Syrian President’s delegation included Dr. Samer al-Khalil, Syrian Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade; Mansour Fadlallah Azzam, Minister of Presidential Affairs of Syria; Dr. Boutros al-Hallaq, Syrian Minister of Information; Dr. Ayman Sosan, Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister; and Dr. Ghassan Abbas, Chargé d’Affairs of the Syrian Embassy in the UAE, attended from the Syrian side.
The Syrian President later left the UAE and was seen off at the Presidential Flight by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed, several Sheikhs and officials.