His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, the Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, made a telephone call to his counterpart, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Syrian Arab Republic, during which they discussed the latest developments on the Syrian scene and the regional and international efforts made regarding it.
Strengthening joint coordination
The phone call addressed ways to enhance joint Arab action and discussed issues of mutual interest to the two brotherly countries. This call comes within the framework of ongoing consultations between Riyadh and Damascus to ensure the security and stability of the region, particularly in light of the current geopolitical challenges facing the Middle East.
Context of the return of diplomatic relations
This contact is particularly significant as it culminates the process of resuming diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Syrian Arab Republic, which was formalized following the Arab League's decision in May 2023 to reinstate the participation of Syrian government delegations in its meetings. The Kingdom played a pivotal and leading role in bringing Syria back into the Arab fold, a fact clearly demonstrated during the Arab Summit hosted by Jeddah, which saw the attendance of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for the first time since the outbreak of the crisis.
The importance of Syrian stability regionally
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia attaches great importance to the issue of stability in Syria, given its direct impact on Arab national security. Saudi diplomatic efforts are focused on several key areas, most notably:
- Political solution: Supporting the achievement of a comprehensive political solution to the Syrian crisis that preserves Syria's unity, its Arab identity, and its territorial integrity.
- The humanitarian file: Creating the appropriate conditions for the safe and voluntary return of Syrian refugees and displaced persons to their areas, and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid to all those in need.
- Counter-terrorism: Strengthening security cooperation to combat terrorist organizations and prevent drug smuggling across borders, which contributes to enhancing the security of the region as a whole.
This diplomatic movement reflects the Kingdom’s vision based on eliminating problems in the region and prioritizing dialogue, in the belief that economic development and prosperity in the region cannot be achieved without comprehensive political and security stability that includes all Arab countries, especially Syria, which is a fundamental pillar in the Arab security system.
