Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Damascus, SANA – Foreign and Expatriates Minister, Fayssal Mikdad discussed on Thursday with Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council , Jan Egeland and an accompanying delegation aspects of enhancing cooperation between the Syrian government and the council.
Talks during the meeting dealt with the council’s current work plan in Syria and the possibility of expanding it in the future.
“Syria welcomes the return of all Syrian refugees to their homeland,”Mikdad said, adding that the government takes all possible measures to guarantee a voluntary, safe return and good livelihood conditions for them.
“Some western states deal with this file in a negative manner, and they don’t encourage refugees to return home under baseless pretexts,” Mikdad added.
He called for the need to adhere to principles of humanitarian work and keeping away from any politicization, referring to the critical conditions the Syrian people are passing through as a result of unilateral coercive measures.
Egeland, for his part, expressed appreciation for the facilitates offered by the Syrian government to make the council’s work in Syria a success, hailing the fruitful cooperation between the two sides.
He affirmed that the council will do its best to boost cooperation, offer humanitarian assistance to people in need, particularly in education sector.
Hybah Sleman / Mazen Eyon
