Al-Miqdad receives NRC’s Secretary General

DAMASCUS, DEC.9, (ST)- The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Faisal Al-Miqdad discussed on Thursday with Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council , Jan Egeland and an accompanying delegation the ways of enhancing cooperation between the Syrian government and the council.

 

According to tge Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), the talks during the meeting dealt with the council’s current work plan in Syria and the possibility of expanding it in the future.

 

“Syria welcomes the return of all Syrian refugees to their homeland,”Al-Miqdad said, adding that the government adopts all possible measures to guarantee a voluntary, safe return and good livelihood conditions for those who want to return to the homeland.

 

He pointed out that some western states deal with this file in a negative manner, and they don’t encourage refugees to return home under baseless pretexts.

 

The minister underscored the need to adhere to principles of humanitarian work and keeping away from any politicization, referring to the critical conditions the Syrian people are passing through as a result of unilateral coercive measures.

 

For his part, Egeland expressed appreciation for the facilitates being offered by the Syrian government to make the council’s work in Syria a success, praising the fruitful cooperation between the two sides.

 

He asserted that the council will do its utmost to boost cooperation, offer humanitarian assistance to the people who are in need, particularly in education sector.

 

Basma Qaddour