Austrian Interior Minister: The situation in Syria is more stable than some believe

Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karter confirmed that the situation in Syria is more stable than some people believe, stressing the importance of talks with the Syrian government.

During a meeting with his German-speaking ministerial counterparts in Krems, west of Vienna, Karter said: Syria is more stable than some believe, and it is better to talk with the Syrian government rather than to leave things inactive. It is also better to have an active presence there rather than to keep watching without doing anything, according to the Austrian newspaper Heute.

He added: “It is important that we deal with the situation in Syria in a coordinated manner especially at the European level.”

He noted that he held extensive talks with Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab during his visit to Damascus the day before yesterday, where the two sides discussed the issue of the return of Syrian refugees to their country, in addition to steps to train Syrian security forces as to organize the return and deportation operations.

Last Sunday, Interior Minister Anas Khattab received a joint delegation representing Germany and Austria, headed by German Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser and Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karter.

During the meeting, issues of common interest between the three countries were discussed, as well as ways to enhance security cooperation.

Nada Haj Khidr