Halaqi, Moualim : Syrian government continues cooperation with the UN to reach aid to all affected citizens without discrimination

DAMASCUS,(ST)_ Dr. Wael al-Halaqi, in charge of forming the new government has stressed the Syrian government’s keenness to cooperate with various international organizations working in the field of humanitarian relief, especially the World Food Program (WFP) in order to deliver humanitarian and relief materials to all citizens affected by terrorist acts.

Halaqi explained during a meeting with WFP Executive Director Artherin Cousin yesterday that the government continues to cooperate with the UN to facilitate the delivery of aid to all affected citizens without discrimination and take into consideration the UN Security Council resolutions 2139 and 2165, stressing that the implementation of the UN Secretariat of the two said resolutions requires commitment to respect national sovereignty, and principles of transparency, impartiality and integrity.

He pointed out that the “crossings identified by UN resolution 2165 are used by terrorist organizations in the introduction of trucks loaded with weapons and ammunition into the Syrian territory under the pretext of deploying humanitarian aid in addition to the exposure of humanitarian workers to the risk of abuse by these organizations.”

He renewed the Syrian government readiness to cooperate with the UN humanitarian agencies, pointing to the approval of the government in this regard to the ambitious distribution plan proposed by the WFP for the current month, August, which included access to all the difficult areas inside Syria, noting “We are continuing to implement this plan”.

For her part, Cousin expressed satisfaction for the great and fruitful cooperation shown by the Syrian government in providing appropriate atmosphere for the WFP team working in Syria in addition to providing logistics and security facilities for the delivery of aid to all targeted areas.

Talks dealt with the mechanisms for the development of cooperation between the two sides.

Meantime,, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates in the caretaker government Walid Mouallim discussed with Cousin, ways to strengthen the existing cooperation between the Syrian government and the WFP to ensure humanitarian access to all Syrian citizens affected in different regions.

Mouallim stressed Syria’s commitment and full cooperation with the UN humanitarian agencies to facilitate the delivery of aid to all affected citizens without discrimination, in the framework of respecting the Syrian sovereignty.

Cousin commended Syria’s cooperation and the constructive efforts in overcoming the challenges faced by the WFP in Syria.

 She reviewed the progress made in the implementation of the WFP plan, stressing readiness to make every effort for the success of this plan and meeting its requirements.

Earlier in the day, Deputy minister of foreign affairs and expatriates Dr. Faisal Miqdad  stressed with Cousin the good relationship of cooperation between Syria and the WFP.

Miqdad stressed readiness of the Syrian government to strengthen the existing coordination with the WFP to increase the number of beneficiaries in needy areas, stressing the need not to politicize the issue of humanitarian aid to serve certain Western countries agenda.

He stressed the immoral nature of the unilateral economic sanctions imposed by Western countries on Syria without justification because they kill innocent Syrians, including children, women and the elderly.

T. Fateh