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President Sheikh Mohamed on Monday set out the UAE's steadfast support for Syria following the fall of the Assad regime during a phone call with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen. The UAE leader reiterated the UAE's commitment to Syria's "unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity" and spoke of the need to ensure security and stability in the country, the state news agency Wam reported.
Sheikh Mohamed and Ms von der Leyen underlined the importance of prioritising dialogue and understanding during a critical period in Syria's history. Meanwhile, the UN's human rights chief on Monday said there was the opportunity for inclusive dialogue on the political transition in Syria after the end of president Bashar Al Assad's regime.
“I hope that within this current environment that obviously there will be this inclusive, very inclusive dialogue,” that will involve each and every segment of the Syrian society, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk told a Geneva press briefing. “There is a huge chance for this to happen. And what we have seen initially is indeed co-operation,” he said.
Sheikh Mohamed and Ms von der Leyen also reviewed ways to further co-operation and bolster existing ties between the Emirates and the European Union during the call. Their discussions came after Sheikh Mohamed held high-level talks with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Abu Dhabi. During the meeting, which took place at Al Shati Palace, the two men discussed areas of co-operation between their countries while stressing the importance of historical ties, Wam reported.
Mr Starmer congratulated Sheikh Mohamed after the UAE celebrated its 53rd Eid Al Etihad, or National Day, this month. They also discussed a number of regional developments of common interest, reaffirming their desire for peace in the Middle East.