UAE President receives Syria’s Bashar al-Assad

The UAE’s President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received the Syrian head of state Bashar al-Assad in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, March 19.

During their meeting, the two leaders discussed the fraternal relations between the two countries and ways to strengthen cooperation, according to the state news agency, WAM.

Sheikh Mohamed offered his condolences to President al-Assad and the people of Syria for the earthquake victims. President al-Assad’s official visit coincides with the visit that he paid to the country in March last year, marking his first trip to an Arab country since 2011.

Sunday’s reception was attended by senior Emirati officials, including Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Adviser, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and 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 and Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE President also attended the ceremony at Qasr Al Watan.

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 were also in attendance.

The Syrian premier’s visit follows that of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, to Damascus in January. Sheikh Abdullah returned to Damascus last month when he also visited areas hit by the earthquake that killed more than 50,000 people in Syria and Turkey.

Read: UAE Foreign Minister meets Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus

During his visit, Sheikh Abdullah underlined the UAE’s keenness to ensure the “security, stability and unity of Syria, and its support for all efforts made to end the Syrian crisis, consolidate stability in the country and meet the aspirations of the Syrian people for development, progress and prosperity”.

The presidents emphasise close relations

Sheikh Mohamed drew attention to the need to make all available efforts to facilitate the return of Syrian refugees with dignity to their country. He also praised the role of the Syrian community in the UAE and their contribution to the country’s journey of construction and development.

I welcomed President Bashar al-Assad of Syria to the UAE today, and we held constructive talks aimed at developing relations between our two countries. Our discussions also explored ways of enhancing cooperation to accelerate stability and progress in Syria and the region. pic.twitter.com/QlcIWomFDE

— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) March 19, 2023

The UAE President also emphasised the depth of the established relations between the two fraternal peoples.

“I welcomed President Bashar al-Assad of Syria to the UAE today, and we held constructive talks aimed at developing relations between our two countries. Our discussions also explored ways of enhancing cooperation to accelerate stability and progress in Syria and the region,” President Mohamed bin Zayed said in a tweet.

President Assad, who was welcomed at a ceremony at Qasr Al Watan on Abu Dhabi’s waterfront, was being accompanied by the first lady of Syria Asma Al-Assad.

The Syrian leader extended thanks and appreciation to the UAE government and people’s position and their immediate response while addressing the ordeal caused by the earthquake.

Read: UAE President orders additional $50m in relief aid for Syria

The Syrian leader also extended his thanks and appreciation for the UAE’s embrace of the Syrian community during various circumstances. He later left the UAE and was seen off by the UAE President and several Emirati officials.

His delegation included the Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade, Minister of Presidential Affairs, Minister of Information, Deputy Foreign Minister and the Chargé d’Affairs of the Syrian Embassy in the UAE.