Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah paid a visit to Damascus on Saturday, in a step aimed at elevating ties between the Kingdom and Syria.
The two sides declared that they are seeking to boost economic cooperation to for their mutual benefit and create jobs for Syrians after Western sanctions imposed on the war-torn country were eased earlier this month.
Prince Faisal met Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and other Syrian officials.
The easing of Western sanctions is likely to open the way for foreign investors into the country, where a civil war has been ongoing since March 2011. In early December, 54 years of Assad family rule came to an end, when groups opposed to then-president Bashar al-Assad captured his seat of power in Damascus.
Prince Faisal said that the easing of sanctions by the US, the European Union and Britain in May will help in “reactivating the Syrian economy that had been at a standstill for decades.”
Prince Faisal, who headed an economic and business delegation, said Saudi businessmen will visit Syria in the near future to discuss opportunities in sectors including oil, infrastructure, information technology, telecommunications and agriculture.
He added that Saudi Arabia and Qatar will give financial assistance to employees of Syria's public sector.
“We assert that the Kingdom will be a leading state among countries that will stand by Syria in its march for reconstruction and economic revival,” Prince Faisal said.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said his country and Saudi Arabia have entered a new era of cooperation.
Economic revival
During his meeting with Sharaa, Prince Faisal conveyed the greetings of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
They reviewed bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and Syria and means to support security and stability in the region.
They also tackled means to strengthen the Syrian economy and institutions to meet the aspirations of the people.
“I discussed with Sharaa opportunities for bilateral cooperation in various fields, reflecting the fraternal and historic bonds between our countries and peoples,” said the FM during the press conference with Shaibani.
“I expressed during this visit the Kingdom’s hope to bolster the partnership with brothers in Syria to help consolidate stability and boost opportunities to revive the economy so that Syria can restore its natural positions,” he added.
Prince Faisal underscored the Kingdom’s keenness on Syria’s unity and stability and that it reclaim its effective role in the region.
Saudi Arabia will remain at the forefront of countries that stand by Syria as its forges ahead in reconstruction and reviving its economy, he added.
Investors in Saudi Arabia are eager to seize the opportunities at hand, he stressed.
For his part, Shaibani said the strength of the partnership between the Kingdom and Syria lies in their shared interests, mutual respect and common vision for a stable region.
He expressed his gratitude to the Saudi leadership and diplomatic institutions, saying the support they offered Syria “since the moment of its liberation was evident and left a great mark” on his country.
“This support was tangible and came a time when the Syrian people were in most need of it,” he declared.
“We are especially grateful for the role Saudi Arabia played in lifting sanctions. The sanctions didn’t weaken governments, but Syrian families and people. They didn’t target the systems, but our survival and recovery. We are aware that the lifting of sanctions is only the beginning. Real work begins now,” he stressed.
“Syria’s reconstruction will not be imposed by foreign powers, but it will be made by and for the Syrian people and Saudi Arabia will play a pivotal role during this phase,” Shaibani remarked.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar
Later on Saturday, Saudi Arabia and Qatar announced joint financial support for Syrian public sector employees, delivered over a three-month period.
The move is part of their ongoing commitment to advancing Syria’s economic recovery and following their earlier contribution of approximately $15 million to settle Syria’s arrears with the World Bank Group.
The support is part of Saudi Arabia and Qatar's commitment to fostering stability in Syria, alleviating humanitarian suffering, and advancing the interests of the Syrian people. It reflects the deep-rooted bonds and longstanding historical ties that unite the people of the three countries.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar stressed that this support reflects their commitment to advancing development efforts, strengthening economic and social stability in Syria, and contributing to the improvement of living conditions for the Syrian people.
