Damascus, SANA- Syrian and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies signed a Memo of Understanding (MoU) on the legal status of the International Federation in the Syrian Arab Republic.
The Memo was singed in Damascus on Thursday at Foreign and Expatriates Ministry ‘s building by Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister Fayssal Mikdad on the Syrian side and Regional Director of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in the Middle East and North Africa, Dr Hossam Elsharkawi on the federation side.
This MoU comes under joint working between the Syrian government and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies with the aim of encouraging , facilitating , and bolstering humanitarian activities in all its forms undertaken by the Syrian state and the national and international humanitarian societies to avoid , alleviate the humanitarian suffering , and contribute to preserving and promoting peace in the world .
Mikdad affirmed the Syrian state’s appreciation for the humanitarian role played by the international federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
He underlined the development of relations with the federation in various fields, adding that the Syrian state is ready to develop cooperation in framework of MoU during the upcoming months and years.
Mikdad indicated that the situation in Syria is gradually developing in positive and continuous way in light of the country’s war on terrorism and the unilateral coercive measures imposed by the US and Western countries on the country.
He pointed out to the important role played by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) in providing humanitarian aid to the Syrian people who suffer hard living conditions due to sanctions imposed by the Western countries.
For his part, Elsharkawi expressed thanks and gratitude to the Syrian government, the Syrian people and (SARC), pointing out that the MoU will accelerate and facilitate the standing support in Syria for years.
Elsharkawi pointed out to the difficult economic situation Syria is witnessing as a result of the sanctions which do not facilitate the Federation’s role as a humanitarian institution.
At the end of the meeting, Elsharkawi expressed his hope that the cooperation between the Syrian state and the Federation will contribute to alleviating the suffering of Syrian citizens in various fields.
In a statement to the journalists, Mikdad affirmed that signing of the MoU presents a new page in the relations between Syria and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and that means a movement to a new stage of cooperation.
In turn, Elsharkawi said that the situation in Syria is not easy as the crisis has prolonged the coronavirus spread, as well as the difficult economic situation on the Syrian people , voicing confidence that the situation will improve toward better through enhancing cooperation with the Syrian side and SARC.
Nisreen Othman/Shaza