Sabbagh: Syrian expatriates in Chile can play important role in presenting true image about events in Syria

Syria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York Bassam Sabbagh has recently visited Chile, representing President Bashar Al-Assad in the inauguration ceremony of the new Chilean president. He attended the handover of power between the outgoing President Sebastián Piñera and the new President of Chile Gabriel Boric.

The Syrian Charge de Affairs to Chile Ayham Malazi and other members of the Syrian diplomatic mission in Chile also attended the event.

On Wednesday, March 9th, Sabbagh held a special meeting with members of the Syrian community in Chile.

During the meeting, he spoke about the current situation in Syria and explained how important Syria is for the Syrians in the countries of expatriation.

 In this sense, Sabbagh highlighted the role of Syrian expatriates in presenting a true image about events in Syria, in rejecting and confronting the coercive measures imposed by the US and the EU on Syria and in contributing to reconstructing the country. He affirmed the important role that young people from the Syrian communities abroad can play in all the activities that serve and support the Motherland.

After ending his speech, Sabbagh had an open dialogue with members of the Syrian community who stressed their permanent commitment to their motherland, Syria and who were very interested in knowing the reality of what is happening in Syria and the ways to contribute to the country’s recovery process in the post-war period, particularly as Syria is suffering from the harshest economic crisis in its history as a result of the coercive measures imposed on the Syrian people.

According to Chilean Professor Pablo Sapag, from the Complutense University of Madrid and the author of “Syria in Perspective”, Chile’s new President Gabriel Boric defends a multipolar world and focuses on feminism,  the protection of the environment and cultural diplomacy. All these are fields in which there is a common ground with Syria.

“All in all, the main asset for bilateral  relations is the large and influential Syrian community in Chile and all Chilean presidents value the contribution of the Syrian expatriates in Chile in the friendly relations both countries have even before Syria’s Independence in 1946,” Sapag told Syria Times.

Hamda Mustafa