Syrian FM highlights two pivotal achievements for Syria over past year

(MENAFN) Syria’s foreign minister said Wednesday that the conclusion of the country’s prolonged conflict and the removal of international sanctions stand out as the most consequential developments of the past year, according to statements made during talks in Moscow.

During discussions with Russia’s top diplomat, Asaad al-Shaibani described the past year as a transformative period for Syria and noted that relations between Damascus and Moscow are moving into a more advanced stage.

“The past year was significant for Syria, first of all, this year marked the end of the war that lasted 14 years, and the end of the previous regime. The most important success we have achieved over the past year is the lifting of sanctions against Syria,” he said.

Shaibani explained that the transitional authorities are now prioritizing nationwide reconstruction after years of conflict, while also working to establish a balanced diplomatic posture internationally.

“Approximately a quarter of a million residential houses, and 4 million residential buildings have been destroyed in Syria,” he said.

He added that large numbers of displaced people are still living in tent camps across northern and northeastern parts of the country. Many, he noted, are keen to return home once adequate housing and living conditions are restored.

Nearly 250,000 people are still missing, a situation he attributed to actions carried out by the former leadership, he said.

According to Shaibani, confronting these humanitarian and social challenges is at the top of the agenda during the early phase of Syria’s political transition.

“We have also managed to stop the spread of drugs over the past year and are now trying to attract investments into the Syrian economy in order to create jobs, which is also one of the topics of our bilateral cooperation,” he said.

His Russian counterpart welcomed Shaibani and stressed the importance of sustained communication between the two countries, noting that the Syrian minister had held high-level talks a day earlier.

“I know that yesterday you had a very good meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which you discussed bilateral issues, the situation in the region and practical tasks to ensure the key issue of sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic,” he said.

The Russian foreign minister also encouraged Shaibani to use the current meeting to examine ways to strengthen cooperation across multiple areas.

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