Damascus, July 26 (SANA)Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad Hassanal-Shaibaniwelcomed the visit of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to Syria, describing it as taking place at a pivotal stage marked by recovery, stability, and efforts to strengthen state institutions amid growing international engagement in supporting the country’s progress.

Al-Shaibani said in a post on X on Sunday that he and Guterres discussed a number of issues of mutual interest, foremost among them the United Nations’ role in supporting Syria’s recovery priorities, human rights, transitional justice, the missing persons file, and economic development in a way that reinforces the state’s efforts to build a more stable future.

The minister said Syria looks forward to strengthening cooperation with the United Nations in the humanitarian and development fields, rehabilitating infrastructure, and promoting human rights, in line with the priorities of the Syrian state and the needs of its people.

Al-Shaibani added that Syria, once viewed as a crisis, is today reclaiming its place as an active and responsible partner within the United Nations, engaged in international cooperation and contributing to regional and international peace and stability.

Guterres’ visit is his first to Syria since taking office in 2017 and the first by a U.N. secretary-general since Ban Ki-moon visited Damascus in 2009.