Damascus: Director of Arab Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Syrian Arab Republic Dr. Muhammad Taha Al Ahmad emphasized that the political and diplomatic support provided by the State of Qatar constituted a fundamental pillar in the path of Syria's return to its Arab environment, and in strengthening its regional and international presence after the fall of the previous regime.
According to Qatar News Agency, Al Ahmad indicated that the visit of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to Damascus, as the first Arab leader to take this step, carried profound political implications and clear messages that Syria has entered a new phase of Arab openness, and that it is strongly moving towards restoring its natural role in its regional and international environment.
He pointed out that Syrian diplomacy has been keen from the first moment to build a strong coordination network with Arab brothers, particularly the State of Qatar and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He noted that Qatar played a key role not only in political support but also in providing advice and assistance in multiple files related to rebuilding the state and strengthening stability.
The Director of Arab Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Syrian Arab Republic pointed out that restoring Syria's seat in the Arab League was not a symbolic step, but rather the actual beginning of Damascus's return to joint Arab action, as Syria has begun to activate its participation in various specialized committees and councils, reflecting a genuine political will to engage positively in addressing the region's issues.
He indicated that Syria today has advanced relations with a number of Arab countries, especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. He noted that these relations are based on partnership and coordination, particularly in political, security, and economic matters.
He added that relations with other Arab countries, such as Egypt and the Maghreb countries, are also witnessing gradual development that reflects a shared desire to open a new chapter of cooperation.
Al Ahmad also confirmed that there is ongoing technical and technological coordination with Lebanon, Iraq, and Jordan, especially on issues of common security dimension, especially combating the smuggling of drugs, weapons, and people. He indicated that these challenges require organized regional cooperation, and Syria is open to any collective Arab effort in this direction.
Domestically, Al Ahmad stressed that Syria has placed the restoration of full sovereignty over all its territories among its priorities, explaining that the Syrian government is working, according to the available capabilities, to restore these areas and integrate them into state institutions, in preparation for launching a comprehensive investment and development process.
He underscored that Syria possesses great human and natural resources that qualify it to return strongly to the Arab economic map. He noted that restoring these resources and putting in place well-thought-out plans to invest them will contribute to reviving the national economy and strengthening developmental and human construction, thus consolidating Syria's position among the Arab countries.
Regarding the file of northeastern Syria, Al Ahmad indicated that Syria has adopted a flexible and responsible approach, based on the principle that the solution must be "Syrian-Syrian," away from external interventions. He stressed that this policy has yielded tangible progress, as government efforts have entered their final stages to restore what remains of these areas to the administration of the Syrian state.
On the investment side, Al Ahmad pointed out that the governorates of Raqqa, Deir Al Zor, and Hasakah enjoy high-quality natural and human resources, which make them the focus of wide interest by international companies, especially Gulf companies. He noted that the door will be open for these companies to invest in vital sectors such as oil and gas, in addition to infrastructure and water resources projects, in a way that supports the agricultural sector.
Dr. Muhammad Taha Al Ahmad pointed out that the Syrian Jazira region is the main food basket for Syria, and that Arab countries, especially the Gulf countries, have great experience in investing in agricultural and water resources, which opens up broad prospects for economic partnerships that serve the interests of Syria and enhance Arab integration in the next stage.