Just days after his trip to Moscow, Bashar al Assad visited the United Arab Emirates yesterday where he met with U.A.E. President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This is the second visit that Assad has made to the Gulf region—he visited Oman last month—and is yet another sign that Syria’s diplomatic isolation is being challenged in the aftermath of the Feb. 6 earthquake disaster. Assad also thanked the President and people of the U.A.E. for their support to the Syrian people in addressing the aftermath of the disaster caused by the earthquakes, reported SANA. The U.A.E. has been the largest provider of humanitarian and relief aid to Syria since the earthquakes. “We will not forget the U.A.E.’s position with us during the war, as well as during the earthquake disaster,” Assad said.
According to SANA, Assad’s talks with Sheikh Al Nahyan dealt with means of enhancing historical bilateral relations and economic cooperation between Syria and the U.A.E. Assad stressed that dissonance and the severance of relations is an incorrect principle in politics, and that it is normal for relations between Arab countries to be solid and fraternal. For his part, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan stressed the importance of Syria’s return to its Arab environment, as well as building bridges and strengthening relations between all Arab countries for the benefit and interest of their peoples.
Dr. Anwar Bin Muhammad Gargash, the diplomatic advisor to the U.A.E. President, indicated that indeed, Syria’s diplomatic isolation from the rest of the Arab world must be ended, presumably including its Arab League membership. “The U.A.E.’s stance is clear regarding the need for Syria to return to its environment through activating the Arab role, and this was confirmed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed during his meeting today with President Bashar al-Assad,” Gargash said. He noted that the time has come to enhance the cooperation and solidarity of Arab countries to ensure stability and prosperity in the region.
