New York - Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Foreign Minister, has stressed that the UAE will continue its support for the Syrian people and their legitimate aspirations to restore security and stability to the country.
He made his remarks during a meeting on Tuesday at the United Nations Headquarters with Ahmad Al Jarba, Head of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces.
The meeting reviewed the latest developments in the current situation in Syria and the challenges facing the efforts to achieve a peaceful solution to this crisis.
The two sides also exchanged views on the ways to end the Syrian crisis and to alleviate the worsening suffering of the Syrian people as a result of the conflict. They also reviewed the stances of the Syrian Coalition towards the international efforts to deal with the Syrian chemical programme as well as its stance on the international political efforts to hold the Geneva - 2 conference on Syria.
Shaikh Abdullah condemned the acts of violence and war crimes committed in Syria and said he looked forward to the success of international efforts and initiatives to find a political solution to the Syrian crisis.
He also noted that the UAE would continue to provide humanitarian assistance to those affected by the crisis, including the refugees, to alleviate their suffering.
Later, Shaikh Abdullah met at his residence in New York Dr Zalmay Rassoul, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan.
The two ministers discussed ways to develop bilateral relations and to serve the common goals and interests of the two peoples. They also exchanged views on the current developments in the region, especially in Afghanistan, and a number of other topics and issues of common interest.
Shaikh Abdullah was briefed by Dr Rassoul on the challenges still faced by his country in the areas of security and development and on the achievements made so far because of international support to promote the return of security and stability and business in all parts of Afghanistan. He also expressed his country’s thanks to the UAE for its humanitarian and development assistance to rebuild the infrastructure in the country.
Shaikh Abdullah said that the UAE had long-standing historical relations with Afghanistan and reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to support the country’s security and stability and to provide assistance to the Afghan government in all fields, whether bilaterally or in cooperation with international partners.
At the end of the meeting, the two ministers signed a bilateral agreement to promote air services.
