His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), affirmed that the visit to the Syrian Arab Republic confirms the GCC's support for its unity and stability, benefiting its brotherly people with security, prosperity, and development.
This statement came during His Excellency's meeting with Mr Ahmed Al Sharaa, the Commander-in-Chief of the Syrian Administration, on Monday, December 30, 2024, in Damascus.
His Excellency the Secretary General explained that the visit, undertaken with His Excellency the Kuwaiti Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Abdullah Al Yahya, responds to the agreements reached at the 46th extraordinary meeting of the Ministerial Council.
The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the GCC recommended contacting Syrian counterparts to convey a unified GCC message of support for Syria and the Syrian people, to achieve their aspirations for security, stability, development, and prosperity.
His Excellency emphasised the GCC's commitment to supporting Syria across all levels – political, economic, developmental, and humanitarian. He reiterated the GCC's consistent emphasis on respecting Syria's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, rejecting foreign interference, combating terrorism and extremism, and respecting the country's religious and cultural diversity.
His Excellency also expressed his hope for the continuation of a comprehensive transitional process to fulfill the Syrian people's aspirations for stability and development. He highlighted the importance of supporting national reconciliation, rebuilding the Syrian state, ensuring civilian safety, the decision to dissolve militias and armed factions, and confining weapons to the state's control.
He considered these essential pillars for maintaining security and stability in Syria and restoring its regional and international role, while encouraging national unity and comprehensive dialogue among Syrian parties to achieve security and development, and ensuring that no foreign powers interfere in Syria.
His Excellency mentioned that the GCC welcomes the UN's call to establish a special mission to support the political transition process, in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, to help the Syrian people achieve a Syrian-led political process. This includes focusing on caring for refugees and displaced persons and working towards their safe and voluntary return home.
His Excellency also condemned the repeated Israeli attacks on Syrian territory, calling on Israeli occupation forces to withdraw from occupied Syrian lands. He stressed that the Golan Heights are Syrian land and rejected any Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied Syrian Golan.
Moreover, His Excellency reiterated the need to lift economic sanctions on Syria and provide humanitarian and economic support to the Syrian people to alleviate suffering and strengthen efforts to rebuild the country.
In conclusion, His Excellency stressed that Syria's security is an integral part of regional stability and a fundamental cornerstone. He highlighted the importance of continued international and regional cooperation and joint efforts to achieve the Syrian people's aspirations for peace and development.
