Damascus, Apr. 22 (SANA) Director of Research and Studies at the Diplomatic Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Obeida Ghadban, affirmed Wednesday that President Ahmad al-Sharaa’s participation in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF2026) marks a pivotal shift in Syrian foreign policy. In an exclusive statement to SANA, Ghadban noted that the visit underscores Damascus’s transition from “managing internal crises” to acting as a “primary solution provider” for regional instability.
Ghadban emphasized that Syria has solidified its position as a critical node for regional security, energy flow, and global supply chains. This diplomatic momentum, he explained, builds upon recent milestones, including President Zelenskyy’s historic visit to Damascus and the high-level Syrian-Jordanian coordination meetings held in Amman.
The Five Strategic Pillars
According to Ghadban, the discussions held in Antalya and on the sidelines of the ongoing Gulf tour focus on five essential files:
Strategic Positioning: Utilizing Syria’s geography to facilitate large-scale infrastructure and regional energy projects.
Institutional Security: Building modern military and security institutions to guarantee long-term stability.
Political Transition: Preparing for the first session of the newly formed People’s Assembly as a cornerstone of the 2026 political roadmap.
The Refugee File: Creating the necessary conditions for a dignified and safe return of displaced citizens.
Diplomatic Defense: Countering Israeli aggressions through legal, political, and multilateral frameworks.
The Shift to Global Partnership
Ghadban highlighted that since the fall of the ousted regime one year ago, Syrian diplomacy has successfully moved from “zeroing problems” to “building active partnerships.” The immense interest from international journalists, researchers, and global leaders in Antalya—including high-level summits with the presidents of Türkiye and Pakistan and the Emir of Qatar—is a testament to Syria’s renewed regional weight.
“Syria is no longer just a geography of conflict; it is a strategic goal for regional national security,” Ghadban stated. He noted that the stability of Syria is now directly linked to the national interests of major regional powers, extending beyond military terms to include food security and economic prosperity.
A Two-Track Future Strategy
Looking forward, the Diplomatic Institute expert outlined a dual-path strategy for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
Track One: Solidifying existing understandings with regional neighbors and transforming them into operational economic and security partnerships.
Track Two: Expanding Syria’s diplomatic reach to “new horizons,” including renewed engagement with Europe, Africa, South America, and the emerging markets of East and Southeast Asia.
This strategic outlook comes as President al-Sharaa concludes his Gulf tour, having met with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, further integrating the “New Syria” into the heart of the Arab and global diplomatic landscape.
H.H
