President Al-Assad meets with Griffiths, affirms the need not to politicize the file of the Syrian refugees’ return

On June 26th, President Bashar al-Assad met with Martin Griffiths, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator.

The two sides discussed mobilizing efforts to support early recovery projects related to the return of Syrian refugees and their requirements, and keeping the refugee file within its humanitarian and moral framework.

President A-Assad stressed the need not to politicize the file of the return of the Syrian refugees to their country. He affirmed that the safe return of Syrian refugees is the supreme goal of the Syrian state, but it is linked to providing the requirements of the reconstruction of damaged structures in the villages and cities to which they will return, and to rehabilitating the service facilities in all their forms.

President Al-Assad pointed out that the Syrian state institutions have taken many measures to facilitate the return of the refugees, and they are working to secure what supports the refugees’ stability after their return within the available capabilities.

Griffiths presented to President Al-Assad the international organization’s plan of action for the next stage in order to support early recovery projects in Syria, and to mobilize efforts to help secure appropriate conditions for the return of refugees.

In the same context, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Faisal Al-Mikdad reviewed with Griffiths the progress that has been achieved thanks to the cooperation between Syria and the United Nations agencies concerned with humanitarian affairs, especially after the earthquake disaster. The two sides discussed ways to develop early recovery projects and advance humanitarian work to serve all Syrian citizens.

Al-Mikdad stressed the importance of stopping the politicization of the humanitarian file, and adhering to the UN resolutions, emphasizing the need to respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of states.

In turn, Griffiths thanked the Syrian government for its cooperation with the United Nations and its organizations to facilitate humanitarian and relief work, and to deliver aid to those who deserve in the Syrian regions without discrimination, reiterating the international organizations’ commitment to the principles of humanitarian action.

O. al-Mohammad