Syria Says Guterres’ Visit Marks New Era of Cooperation with the United Nations
DAMASCUS, July 25: Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani has described United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ visit to Damascus as the beginning of a new phase in Syria’s relationship with the UN, signalling the country’s transition from a recipient of international assistance to an active partner in global diplomacy.
Speaking alongside Guterres during a joint press conference in the Syrian capital on Saturday, al-Shaibani welcomed the first visit by a UN secretary-general to Syria in 17 years, calling it a milestone with both political and diplomatic significance.
The foreign minister said discussions focused on strengthening cooperation between Syria and the United Nations, with particular emphasis on recovery, reconstruction and a Syrian-led development strategy designed to support the country’s long-term stability.
Al-Shaibani noted that both sides explored ways to expand collaboration in rebuilding infrastructure and revitalising the economy, adding that millions of Syrians have voluntarily returned home in recent years. He stressed that reconstruction remains the government’s top priority and requires the easing of international restrictions alongside the creation of a legal and economic framework that supports sustainable development.
Regional security was also a key topic during the talks. Al-Shaibani reiterated Syria’s position that lasting peace cannot be achieved while violations of its sovereignty continue. He criticised ongoing Israeli military operations and the continued presence of Israeli forces beyond the 1974 disengagement line, describing the situation as a threat to regional stability and a burden on Syria’s recovery efforts.
As part of his visit, Guterres is expected to travel to the headquarters of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), which monitors the ceasefire in the buffer zone of the Syrian Golan Heights under UN Security Council Resolution 350.
The visit comes amid heightened tensions in southern Syria after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared the 1974 Disengagement Agreement ineffective following the fall of the former Assad government, raising fresh concerns about security along the border.
Officials view Guterres’ visit as an important diplomatic step that could strengthen cooperation between Syria and the United Nations while supporting the country’s recovery and broader regional stability.
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