Safadi urges intensified int'l efforts to help Syrians rebuild their coutry

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi emphasized on Monday the importance of supporting the Syrian people in rebuilding their country after years of suffering.

In a speech at the 9th international Conference in support of Syria in Brussels, Safadi stressed that the Syrian people deserve to live in peace and dignity after decades of hardship, and that international assistance is crucial to help them address the aftermath of the past phase and start the rebuilding process.

Safadi stated that "Jordan has stood by its Syrian brothers and sisters in times of crises and calamities, and today we stand with them in this historic moment that brings hope and opportunities,” according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

He emphasized the need to lift sanctions on Syria and the immediate flow of international support, prioritizing early recovery projects, with a focus on meeting the Syrian people’s basic needs and sustaining the work of institutions.

Safadi pointed out the need to invest in vital sectors such as energy, housing, health, among others, the statement said. 

He noted that early recovery projects that provide homes, schools, and hospitals and create job opportunities are essential for creating favorable conditions for the voluntary return of refugees.

“If we work together, we can make a difference, and Syrian refugees will be able to return and contribute to rebuilding their country."

Safadi explained that  Jordan hosts 1.3 million Syrian refugees, and “we have done everything we can to ensure a dignified life for them. In Jordan, only 10 per cent of refugees live in camps, our schools are open to all Syrians as they are to our citizens, and more than 150,000 Syrian children are enrolled in our public schools, representing 11 per cent of the total students. We have provided refugees with the same medical care we offer Jordanians, given them work permits, and shared our limited resources with them."

Safadi affirmed that the solution to the refugee issue is their voluntary return to their homeland, “but until the conditions are suitable for their return, their needs must be addressed, and hosting countries cannot bear the burden alone.”

He added that the Syrian people deserve to live in freedom, equality, dignity, and peace after their long suffering.

Safadi reiterated the need to respect Syria’s unity, territorial integrity, and sovereignty. He stressed the need for Israel to immediately withdraw from the Syrian territories it occupied and stop interfering in Syrian affairs, emphasizing that Israel’s actions are illegal and represent a threat to stability.

He pointed out that the Syrian government has confirmed its commitment to the disengagement agreement signed between Syria and Israel in 1974, adding that Israel must abide by this agreement, respect international law. 

“Syria’s stability is a cornerstone of regional stability. The new Syrian government bears the responsibility of meeting the rights and aspirations of the Syrian people, and we all share the responsibility of helping it achieve that."