During talks with Assad in Abu Dhabi
Head of state: Syria's absence from its brothers has been long. And it's time for her to return to them.
In the presence of Mohammed bin Zayed. Bashar al-Assad records a word in the VIP guestbook. WAM
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President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said yesterday that Syria's absence from its brothers has been prolonged, and that its return to its Arab surroundings has come.
During talks with Syrian Arab President Bashar al-Assad yesterday at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi, His Highness affirmed the UAE's support for dialogue between Syria and Turkey to facilitate the return of Syrian refugees to their country with pride and dignity.
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed discussed with President Bashar al-Assad the brotherly relations between the two countries, and ways to advance cooperation and constructive joint work that contribute to achieving their mutual interests, in addition to a number of issues of common concern.
His Highness expressed his sincere condolences to President Bashar al-Assad and the brotherly Syrian people on the victims of the earthquake in Syria, stressing his confidence in Syria's ability and the vigor of its people to overcome these circumstances and move to a new phase of stability and prosperity.
His Highness was briefed by President Bashar al-Assad on the latest political developments in the Syrian arena, as well as the repercussions of the earthquake in the country, stressing the UAE's solidarity with Syria and its support for its brotherly people in these circumstances.
His Highness said that «your brothers in the UAE stand with you heart and soul», adding that «Syria's absence from its brothers has been long and it is time for it to return to them, and to its Arab surroundings».
He stressed the need to exert all available efforts to facilitate the return of Syrian refugees with dignity to their country, expressing the UAE's support for the dialogue between Syria and Turkey to make progress on the file of the return of refugees.
His Highness praised the role of the Syrian resident community and its participation in the process of building and development in the UAE, stressing the depth of the well-established relations between the two brotherly peoples.
In a Twitter post, His Highness also welcomed the Syrian president to his second country, the UAE.
"I welcome President Bashar al-Assad to the UAE, and we held positive and constructive talks to support and develop brotherly relations for the benefit of the two brotherly countries and peoples, and to enhance cooperation and coordination on issues that serve stability and development in Syria and the region," His Highness said.
For his part, the Syrian President expressed his thanks and appreciation for the position of the UAE government and people, and its urgent response in dealing with the plight of the earthquake.
He said that "the UAE's aid was qualitative, and it was provided with love, friendliness and brotherhood, and left a great impact on the hearts of the Syrian people."
He also expressed his thanks and appreciation for the UAE's embrace of the Syrian community during various circumstances.
He praised the virtues of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul, and his original approach to the establishment of the UAE, which is now reflected in its attitudes towards its brothers.
He stressed his country's keenness to continue strengthening its brotherly relations with the UAE.
He also expressed his thanks and appreciation to His Highness for the warm reception and hospitality he has received since his arrival and the accompanying delegation to the UAE.
The Syrian President wrote a speech in the VIP register in which he expressed his happiness to visit the UAE, and his wishes that the visit would be a good omen for further development and prosperity of the relations of the two brotherly countries.
His Highness the President hosted a luncheon in honour of the Syrian President.
The talks and banquet were attended by H.H. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor, H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Advisor for Special Affairs at the Presidential Court, Secretary General of the Supreme Council for National Security Ali bin Hammad Al Shamsi, Diplomatic Advisor to His Highness the President of the UAE, Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure. Suhail bin Mohammed Faraj Faris Al Mazrouei, Minister of Economy, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Justice, Abdullah bin Sultan bin Awwad Al Nuaimi, and Minister of State, Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar.
They were attended from the Syrian side by the delegation accompanying the President, which includes the Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade, Dr. Samer Al-Khalil, the Minister of Presidential Affairs, Mansour Azzam, the Minister of Information, Dr. Boutros Hallaq, the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Ayman Sousan, and the Chargé d'Affaires of the Syrian Embassy to the State, Dr. Ghassan Abbas.
The Syrian president left the country where he was bidding farewell at the presidential airport by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and a number of sheikhs and officials.
The President of the sisterly Syrian Arab Republic, Bashar al-Assad, arrived in the United Arab Emirates on an official visit, accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Asma al-Assad. His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, was at the forefront of his arrival at the Presidential Airport in Abu Dhabi.
The Syrian president's plane was accompanied by warplanes when it entered the airspace of the United Arab Emirates yesterday, welcoming him.
President Bashar al-Assad held an official reception upon the arrival of his motorcade at the National Palace. His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan accompanied the guest president to the podium and played the national anthem of Syria. The artillery fired 21 rounds, and a group of honor guards lined up to pay tribute to His Excellency.
• The UAE President affirmed the UAE's support for dialogue between Syria and Turkey to facilitate the return of refugees.
• The President praised the role of the Syrian resident community and its participation in the process of construction and development.
• The Syrian President thanked the position of the UAE government and people and its urgent response in dealing with the plight of the earthquake.
Mohammed bin Zayed:
• "We held constructive talks to support and develop brotherly relations for the benefit of the two brotherly countries and peoples, and to enhance cooperation on issues that serve stability and development in Syria and the region."
Bashar al-Assad:
• "The UAE's aid was qualitative, and it was provided with love, friendliness and brotherhood, and it left a great impact on the hearts of the Syrian people."
Sheikha Fatima receives Asma al-Assad
Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, "Mother of the Nation", Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, received yesterday Mrs. Asma Al-Assad, wife of the President of the Syrian Arab Republic.
During the meeting, which took place at Al Bahr Palace in Abu Dhabi, Her Highness welcomed Asma al-Assad's visit to the UAE, wishing her a successful visit.
At the beginning of the meeting, Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak expressed her sincere condolences and sympathy to Asma al-Assad, the brotherly Syrian people and to the families of the victims of the earthquake that Syria recently witnessed, asking God Almighty to bless them with His mercy and blessings, wishing a speedy recovery to all the injured and safety for Syria and its people from all evil.
Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak and the wife of the Syrian President discussed opportunities to develop cooperation between the two countries in various aspects related to family and childhood and the empowerment of women to serve their society and country.
Mrs. Asma Al-Assad praised the efforts of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak in the areas of supporting women and developing their capabilities, in addition to paying attention to childhood and strengthening the role of the family by providing various capabilities to ensure its cohesion and stability. She also appreciated the interest shown by Her Highness in humanitarian issues and the qualitative initiatives she sponsors in this regard.
She praised the important support provided by the UAE to Syria during the earthquake ordeal, and to those affected, especially its urgent response by sending specialized rescue teams and providing treatment to a number of injured by hosting them in the country's hospitals.