Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad met Martin Griffiths, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs of the UN on Monday in Damascus to discuss key issues.
Assad and Griffiths touched upon mechanisms to join efforts and support early recovery projects linked to the return of Syrian refugees and their requirements.
Assad stressed the need to refrain from politicizing the issue of the return of Syrian refugees to their homeland. He underlined that the orderly return of Syrian refugees is the country’s primary objective, highlighting the importance to implement the early recovery projects necessary for their return.
The president also indicated that Syrian state institutions took several measures to facilitate the return of refugees and secure which supports their stability after their return within the available capabilities.
On his part, Griffiths presented the UN’s work plan for the upcoming phase to support early recovery projects in Syria and rally efforts to help secure the appropriate conditions for the return of refugees.
He expressed his gratitude for Syria’s cooperation with the UN and its organizations to facilitate humanitarian and to deliver aid to those who deserve it in Syrian areas without discrimination.
In the same vein, Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad informed Griffiths of the progress made in the partnership between Syria and UN agencies regarding humanitarian affairs, especially after the earthquake disaster.