It was a call that opened dramatic diplomatic overtures: Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, spoke by telephone with Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad yesterday. He discussed the latest developments in Syria and reviewed several matters and channels of interest for further discussion, with a focus on stability in the region and cooperation.
In so doing, President Sheikh Mohamed had assured the UAE of its continued solidarity to stand as one with Syria against unabated challenges: His Highness reassured that the UAE would continue standing shoulder to shoulder with Syria in its efforts toward countering terrorism and extremism, ensuring the fight joined against the rising regional danger created by those forces. The two leaders examined a range of critical matters related to the Syrian crisis. Sheikh Mohamed articulated the UAE’s resolute stance in endorsing all international and regional initiatives aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution to the conflict. He stressed that the ambitions of the Syrian people for stability, development and peace must be fulfilled; however, it is essential to ensure that Syria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty are thoroughly preserved.
At the time that this phone call happens, the area is going through severe geopolitical upheavals. With diplomatic efforts towards peace and stability in the Middle East, the UAE is becoming more and more active. The conversations between Sheikh Mohamed and President Al Assad are a component in a broader endeavour to restore Syria’s stature in the Arab world.
This will take care of immediate concerns that the country has as it struggles with the consequences of almost a decade of war. Yet, one cannot overlook the complexities of this situation, and a future remains uncertain.
Restoring Regional Cooperation
There was a prime topic that was discussed on the phone call, which was that the need for regional cooperation was to be reinstated to tackle common problems. The Syrian Arab Republic, which was always a member state of the Arab League, was suspended from the [This abstract] in 2011 as a consequence of the Syrian Civil Warfare. Nevertheless, in recent years, there has been an increasing demand, from many Arab countries, to reintegrate Syria into the Arab community.
The UAE has been at the top of efforts and taken the lead in efforts for diplomatic negotiations to heal relations between Syria. Sheikh Mohamed and President Al Assad’s phone conversation is seen as a sign that the United Arab Emirates is willing to talk about Syria’s involvement in a peace and reconstruction process.
Sheikh Mohamed emphasized throughout his speech that the United Arab Emirates is committed to supporting the Syrian government’s efforts to attain long-term stability and progress. The UAE has already been a major player in Syria’s humanitarian relief and the President stressed the continued need to fund the Syrian recovery process, particularly in the wake of the massively destructive conflict.
In addition to the short and medium terms challenges of the Syrian crisis, the two leaders also discussed means for enhancing bilateral relations between the UAE and Syria. While Syria has faced significant challenges over the past decade, including the economic toll of the war and the complex political landscape, the UAE has consistently supported efforts to help Syria navigate these difficulties.
President Sheikh Mohamed has reiterated his belief in the necessity of dialogue as the most effective means of resolving the crisis, and his commitment to supporting Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity remains steadfast. The phone conversation with President Al Assad is part of the UAE’s larger foreign policy strategy, which emphasizes peaceful engagement and diplomacy as means of settling regional conflicts.
Syria needs substantial foreign assistance to recover after years of violence destroyed its infrastructure and economy. The UAE has shown willingness to engage with the Syrian government to provide the necessary assistance in this process. President Sheikh Mohamed’s statements during the call reinforced the UAE’s commitment to helping Syria recover from the consequences of the war, particularly by fostering regional cooperation and encouraging diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a peaceful, sustainable future for the Syrian people.
As the call came to an end, both presidents reaffirmed their commitment towards cooperating in seeking a peaceful resolution to the Syrian issue. An official position supporting Syria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as counterterrorism initiatives, has been stated without any wavering by the UAE. The gratefulness of President Al Assad expressed towards His Highness Sheikh Mohamed was in reference to the contribution made to regional peace by the UAE government, even as His Highness continued to support President Al Assad’s government.
This is now a step towards further entrenched communication between Syria and the United Arab Emirates in support of regional peace and stability. The conversation President Sheikh Mohamed had with President Bashar Al Assad illustrates the reality of their astute thinking towards tying relations and working for a future where cooperation and peace form the foundation of the Middle East, although both countries have quite a distance to cover in highly difficult times in their mutual relations.
