Syria returns to the Arab League

The Meeting of Arab Foreign Ministers, which began this morning in Cairo, the capital of Egypt, has ended.

According to the news published in the official Iraqi agency INA, the spokesman for the Iraqi Foreign Ministry, Ahmed es-Sahaf, “at the Meeting of Arab Foreign Ministers, it was agreed that Syria should return to the Arab League.” he used the phrase.

Meanwhile, Egyptian Foreign Minister Samih Shukri and Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Abu Gayt issued a joint press statement after the meeting.

Speaking at the press conference, Minister Shukri stated that the Arab Council of Foreign Ministers has decided to restart the participation of Syrian government delegations in the meetings of the Arab League and all its affiliated institutions and organizations from May 7. of 2023.

Abu Gayt, Secretary General of the Arab League, stated that in addition to inviting Syria to return to the Union, it was decided to establish a follow-up committee made up of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq and the Secretary General of the Arab Union. League to follow the solution of the Syrian problem.

“NORMALIZING RELATIONS IS A SOVEREIGN DECISION OF ALL COUNTRIES”

Abu Gayt said that the decision of the Arab countries to establish normal relations with Syria is a sovereign decision to be taken by the countries.

Noting that the decision in question provides for the return of Syria as a member and the establishment of a committee to communicate with Syria, Ebu Gayt said that Syria means the presence of permanent delegates of the Union and the meetings of its affiliated institutions. Abu Gayt also stated that this decision will be officially communicated to the Syrian side.

Recently, there have been diplomatic efforts in the Arab countries for the return of Syria to the Arab League.

SYRIA AND THE ARAB UNION

Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal al-Mikdad met his counterpart Faisal Bin Ferhan during his visit to Saudi Arabia on April 12.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan and Iraq met in Saudi Arabia on April 14 to discuss efforts for a political solution to the Syrian crisis.

At the meeting, it was announced that Syria’s return to the Arab League was discussed, but no agreement could be reached.

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safedi, Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Ferhan, Egyptian Foreign Minister Samih Shukri, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and the Syrian Foreign Minister Mikdad met in Amman on May 1.

In the final statement released after the closed-door meeting, it was noted that “the voluntary and safe return of Syrian refugees to their countries is the main issue.”

The Arab League suspended Syria’s membership in the Union on November 12, 2011 due to the civil war in Syria. (AA)