President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, stressed to his Syrian counterpart the need for Damascus to return “to its Arab surroundings”, during President Bashar al-Assad’s second visit to a Gulf country since last month’s earthquake, which came amidst efforts to reform his country’s relations with the countries of the region. In this connection, Emirati President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan wrote on Twitter: “We held positive and constructive discussions to support and develop brotherly relations.” In a statement published by the UAE government news agency, the Emirati President said, “Syria’s absence from its brethrens has been prolonged, and it is time for Syria to return to them and to its Arab surroundings.” He also stressed “the need to exert all available efforts to facilitate the dignified return of Syrian refugees to their country,” expressing “the UAE’s support for the dialogue between Syria and Turkey to achieve progress in the file of the return of refugees.” For its part, the Syrian presidency said in a statement that talks tackled “the positive developments taking place in the region and the importance of building on these developments to achieve stability for its countries,” adding that they also touched on economic cooperation between both states. Meanwhile, President of the General Women’s Union, Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, wife of the late Emirati President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, received Asma al-Assad to discuss the repercussions of the earthquake. Analysts say the diplomatic momentum generated in the aftermath of the earthquake could strengthen Damascus’ relations with countries in the region that have hitherto resisted repairing relations after more than a decade of war. In this context, Emirati diplomatic advisor Anwar Gargash wrote on Twitter, “The UAE’s position is clear regarding the need for Syria to return to its surroundings by activating the Arab role, and this was confirmed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed during his meeting today with President Bashar al-Assad.” “Enough of more than a decade of war, violence and destruction, and it is time to strengthen the cooperation and solidarity of our Arab countries to ensure the stability and prosperity of the region,” he continued to underline. “The UAE’s direction and efforts towards brotherly Syria are part of a deeper vision and a broader approach aimed at strengthening Arab and regional stability and overcoming difficult years of confrontation,” Gargash added, asserting that “the events associated with the decade of chaos and its repercussions have proven that our Arab world is more deserving of addressing its issues and crises, away from regional and international interventions.”

Source: National News Agency-Lebnon