Qatar’s Emir welcomes Syrian President Sharaa in sign of warming bilateral relations

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Doha on April 15, marking the latter’s first official visit to the Gulf state since assuming office in the wake of the former regime’s collapse.

The two leaders held talks on a range of regional and international issues, with a particular focus on enhancing security and stability in the Middle East, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Discussions also centred on strengthening bilateral relations, especially in the political and diplomatic spheres. Both sides expressed a strong desire to deepen cooperation and improve coordination across various sectors.

Emir Sheikh Tamim expressed hope that President Sharaa’s visit would usher in a new chapter in Qatari-Syrian ties, paving the way for broader collaboration. President Sharaa, in turn, reaffirmed Syria’s commitment to advancing relations and working jointly in the interest of both nations and their peoples.

The high-level talks were also attended by Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, alongside Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani.

The meeting comes amid a recent thaw in relations between the two countries. On 15 December, Qatar reopened its embassy in Damascus after a 13-year closure triggered by the outbreak of war and the rule of Bashar al-Assad. The move came just a week after Assad was ousted from power.

Shortly thereafter, Doha dispatched its first high-level delegation to Syria, led by Minister of State Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi.

Humanitarian ties have also been re-established, with a Qatari aid aircraft arriving in Damascus on 30 December, delivering supplies from the Qatar Fund for Development.

President Sharaa and Emir Sheikh Tamim previously met in Damascus on 30 January, during the Emir’s historic visit – the first by a head of state to the Syrian capital since Assad’s downfall.

By Aghakazim Guliyev