Brussels, May 11 (SANA) Syrian Foreign and Expatriates Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani said on Monday that Syria was seeking deeper partnership with the European Union based on mutual interests, reconstruction and long-term regional stability.
Al-Shaibani made the remarks during the opening of the EU-Syria Partnership Coordination Forum in Brussels, where Syrian and European officials discussed future cooperation frameworks and Syria’s recovery efforts after years of conflict and isolation.
Speaking at the forum, al-Shaibani said Syria was entering a new phase focused on economic recovery, rebuilding institutions and restoring confidence in the state.
“Syria today is not asking the world to shape its future on its behalf,” al-Shaibani said. “We are here to build real partnerships based on mutual interests, responsibility and long-term stability.”
He said Syria had undergone significant changes over the past year and a half, adding that authorities were working to strengthen the economy, encourage investment, improve housing conditions and reinforce public institutions.
“Our people have already carried the burden of survival,” he said. “Today, our focus is on recovery, reconstruction and restoring confidence in state institutions.”
Al-Shaibani said improving public institutions and strengthening transparency and accountability were central to current government efforts.
He added that Syria was opening new economic opportunities for European institutions and companies on the basis of mutual benefit and renewed cooperation.
“Syria and Europe already have a basis for cooperation,” he said. “What is needed now is genuine political will.”
The Syrian foreign minister said stability in Syria would contribute to broader stability in the Mediterranean region and Europe, adding that sustainable recovery depended on rebuilding institutions, improving services and enabling displaced Syrians to return to their towns and villages “with dignity.”
He said Syrian authorities had worked to reunify state institutions and restore state authority within a unified national framework based on equal citizenship.
“Our participation today will launch discussions on the frameworks that will govern relations with the European Union on the basis of partnership and shared interests,” al-Shaibani said.
He added that the transition underway in Syria was “Syrian-led and Syrian-owned,” describing recent developments as the result of a sovereign national and institutional process.
The forum brought together Syrian and European officials and representatives to discuss economic cooperation, reconstruction and institutional support as part of broader international engagement with Syria.
N.J/ ABD
