Miqdad to Grandi: We are keen to cooperate to facilitate the return of displaced Syrians

Damascus-SANA

Dr. Faisal Miqdad, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, discussed during his meeting today with the High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi and his accompanying delegation areas of cooperation between the Syrian government and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

During the meeting, Minister Miqdad stressed the importance of continuing and strengthening cooperation between the Syrian government and the High Commissioner for Refugees, reviewing the steps taken by the Syrian government to facilitate the return of displaced Syrians to their cities and villages.

Miqdad affirmed the Syrian government's keenness to cooperate with the Commission in this field on the basis of preserving the sovereignty, independence and unity of Syria's land and people, away from attempts by some parties to use this file for political goals that contradict the interests of the Syrians and its purely humanitarian nature.

Minister Miqdad explained the significant economic repercussions of the unilateral coercive measures imposed on the Syrian people and their impact on the return of the displaced Syrians, especially as these measures limit the ability of the state and humanitarian organizations operating in Syria to secure the basic requirements of those wishing to return.

In turn, Grandi affirmed his satisfaction with the existing cooperation between UNHCR and the Syrian government, reviewing the activities and initiatives undertaken by the Commission in order to contribute to creating conditions for the return of Syrian refugees to their country, expressing the Commission's readiness to continue to mobilize and harness all capabilities in order to secure the basic requirements for return.

Grandi stressed the Commission's commitment to work in accordance with its humanitarian goals only and its keenness to stay away from any political agendas.

The meeting was attended from the Syrian side by Dr. Bashar Al-Jaafari, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Dr. Abdullah Hallaq, Director of the Special Office Department, Rania Al-Hajj Ali, Acting Director of the Organizations Department, and Wahab Hamed from the Minister's Office.

From the UN side, Imran Reda, the resident coordinator of the United Nations activities in Syria, and Ayman Gharaibeh, director of the UNHCR's regional office for the Middle East and North Africa.