Syrian Foreign Minister Faysal Mikdad welcomes change in international attitude towards Syria

ByNews Desk The Cradle

Mikdad's comments come amidst an opening of reconciliation between West, Gulf states and Syria

Foreign and Expatriates Minister Faysal Mikdad confirmed a change in the international political environment towards Syria in comments to Syrian media on 30 September.

In comments to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), Mikdad said that “the change reflects the achievements of the Syrian Arab Army, in cooperation with allies and friends, on the ground in the war against terrorism.”

On 20 September, Mikdad led a Syrian delegation to a UN meeting in New York on strengthening bilateral ties between Syria and Venezuela, and where he also met with Venezuela’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Felix Plasencia Gonzalez.

Regarding the General Assembly meetings, Mikdad said that while some countries – in reference to the United States – continue to practice economic terrorism, there was nonetheless a clear retreat of the hostile stance on Syria.

The Foreign Minister, appointed by Bashar Assad in November 2020, added that while Syria welcomes the “openness to the return of normal relations” with the UN and Western nations, he also made clear that Syria “will not submit to pressures nor accept any political conditions.”

Mikdad also expressed optimism at the prospect of improved relations and cooperation with Syria and its Arab neighbors, following talks held between Syria and Egypt at the New York General Assembly.

In recent years, a number of Arab states, many of whom stood against Syria during the war backed by the US and the Gulf, have sought rapprochement with Damascus.

With the UAE currently leading reconciliation efforts between Gulf Arab states and their allies, even Saudi Arabia has reopened secret lines of communication between with Damascus, in the hope of repairing relations.

Meanwhile, a number of developments between Jordan and Syria have advanced the diplomacy and economic cooperation between the two.

Jordan announced on 27 September that its Jaber–Nassib border crossing with Syria will be reopened two days from the date for both freight and travelers.

On 29 September, this main border crossing was opened as planned, and direct flights to Damascus resumed.

Lebanon’s General Security Chief Abbas Ibrahim told The Cradle last week that he was very much in favor of open borders with Syria.