Political settlement of Syrian crisis will enhance regional stability: Egypt’s FM

CAIRO – 1 April 2023: Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry affirmed on Saturday that the comprehensive political settlement of the Syrian crisis would enhance elements of stability and development in the Arab world and the region.

Shoukry made the remarks as he received in Cairo his Syrian counterpart, Foreign Minister Fayssal Mekdad, who is making the first visit of its kind to Egypt in more than a decade, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

 

During the meeting, Shoukry stressed that a political settlement of the crisis will curb foreign interference in the Syrian affairs, ensure the full restoration of security and stability in Syria, and preserve the country’s unity and sovereignty.

Egypt’s top diplomat added that the political settlement of the crisis would also eliminate all forms of terrorism and terrorist groups without exceptions, safeguard the people’s resources, and allow voluntary and safe return of Syrian refugees.

This would alleviate the suffering of the brotherly Syrian people and end the people’s longstanding crisis, Shoukry added.

 

In this regard, Shoukry affirmed Egypt’s full support to the efforts of reaching a comprehensive political settlement to the Syrian crisis at the earliest opportunity in accordance with the UN Security Resolution No. 2254.

Shoukry also affirmed Egypt’s support to the relevant efforts of the UN special envoy to Syria, highlighting the importance of fulfilling the procedures related to achieving national consensus among Syrian brothers, building trust, and continuing the meetings of the Syrian constitutional committee.

Mekdad, for his part, hailed the Egyptian role in supporting Syria and its people over the past years of the crisis and also extended appreciation to Egypt over providing humanitarian relief to Syrian people in the wake of the February quake.

 

The Syrian foreign minister also voiced aspiration that the coming period witnesses further Arab solidarity with Syria in order for the country to be able to overcome its crisis and perform its historic role in supporting the Arab world’s issues.

Mekdad reviewed the various aspects of the Syrian crisis, including the economic, humanitarian and security challenges that the Syrian people have faced.

The talks addressed ways to help the Syrian people restore their unity and sovereignty over their entire territory and face the growing challenges, including efforts to recover from the effects of the devastating quake.

Both ministers agreed to intensify channels of communication between the two countries at various levels during the next stage with the aim of addressing issues that affect the interests of the two countries and their brotherly peoples.

Shoukry and Mekdad held a closed bilateral meeting followed by an expanded session of talks that included the Egyptian and Syrian delegations.