Doha, December 07 (QNA) - HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Syrian Arab Republic, Asaad Hassan Al Shaibani, stated that his government is proud of the achievements it has made over the past year, despite the magnitude of the internal and external challenges faced, foremost among them the consolidation of security and stability in Syria.

HE the Syrian Foreign Minister explained that the year following Dec. 8, 2024, marked a pivotal stage in the history of modern Syria, as the Syrian people were able to present a genuine success story that reshaped the country's image before the world and demonstrated their ability to overcome years of war and look to the future with unwavering resolve and renewed confidence.

During a session entitled "The New Syria One Year On: Assessing Progress, Opportunity and Challenges" at the Doha Forum, His Excellency noted that accomplishments achieved within a single year would normally have required many years under ordinary circumstances. He stressed that the most significant development was the restoration of Syrians' confidence in themselves after the previous regime had eroded and weakened that confidence.

He explained that Syria's experience over the past year has proven that any government that works diligently and deploys its full capacities can deliver substantial results despite limited resources and the heavy legacy inherited from the former regime. Popular support, he added, was a fundamental pillar of the progress achieved, alongside the contributions of partners who stood by Syria during this sensitive phase.

HE Al Shaibani emphasized that, despite the advances made, the Syrian government remains far from fully satisfied with the current situation, as economic and living conditions are still difficult and legal obstacles remain, most notably economic sanctions, including the Caesar Act. The most crucial step taken so far, he said, is the repair of the relationship between the state and the public and the rebuilding of lost trust through a new approach grounded in transparency and responsibility.

He also asserted that the liberation of Syrian territory revealed the extent of deterioration within state institutions, as well as the tense foreign relations inherited from the previous regime, including broad sanctions and strained ties with neighboring states, European countries, and the United States.

His Excellency stated that the constraints that emerged after the liberation were significant, and that reconstruction efforts face major challenges. Pursuing a balanced foreign policy in a highly polarized region, he added, is not an easy task, as every political, economic, or diplomatic step is subject to close scrutiny.

Al Shaibani stressed that Syria is now seeking to build normal relations with various countries and to secure international support that can reinforce this balanced approach, while the government works to consolidate internal security in tandem with regional and international security efforts. This is taking place alongside major development initiatives and efforts to attract investment.

He also pointed out that Syrian diplomacy has become clearer and more transparent, focusing on a central objective: rebuilding Syria without engaging in any political alignments.

At the same time, he underlined that Syria faces major regional challenges, describing the Israeli factor as the most dangerous threat to Syria's stability since Dec. 8, 2024, whether through its media, political, or military actions. Despite this, he said, Syria has succeeded in securing substantial international support, particularly from the United States, which has expressed willingness to back a new security agreement between the Syrian and Israeli sides.

He underscored the importance of supporting Syria's stability through a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Syrian territories entered after Dec. 8, 2024, restoring the situation to what it was previously. He added that no security agreement can be concluded while occupation persists.

In this context, he called on Israel to cease its interference in Syrian affairs and to stop attempting to influence the social fabric of Syria or exacerbate internal divisions, as this would have negative repercussions for Israel in the future.

His Excellency affirmed Syria's commitment to the 1974 Agreement and its continued engagement in the current US-mediated negotiations, noting that Syria has shown a mature approach, marked by diplomacy and rationality, surpassing the Israeli narrative that has long presented itself as the region's sole democracy. He said the international community supported the Syrian stance, most recently through an international vote reaffirming that the Golan Heights is Syrian territory, backed by more than 25 countries.

Addressing domestic developments, the Syrian Foreign Minister said the country has made tangible progress in several sectors, including energy, security, and transportation, alongside notable and significant advances in political freedoms, rights, and community participation.

He added that Syria has transitioned from being a source of threat to a source of inspiration, and that Syrians now look to the future with confidence rather than fear.

He expressed optimism that 2026 will be a pivotal year for economic and service-sector development, supported by the revival of industry and the recovery of key sectors in partnership with American, Qatari, Saudi, and Turkish companies, along with growing international interest in investing in Syria. (QNA)