BAKU, Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan's Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafiyev met with Syria’s new Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani during a recent visit to Syria's capital Damascus, Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry announced on Sunday, just weeks after the Dec. 8 fall of the Assad regime.

Rafiyev conveyed Azerbaijan's congratulations to Shaibani on the new political era in Syria, which marks the arrival of new representatives of the people to power, according to a statement.

He emphasized that Azerbaijan, alongside Türkiye, stands in solidarity with Syria during this crucial period aimed at ensuring the country's stability and the welfare of its people.

Rafiyev further assured that Azerbaijan would provide all necessary support to Syria’s reconstruction process.

He also highlighted that Azerbaijan’s experience in rebuilding and revitalizing its liberated territories could be applied to Syria's recovery efforts, referring to Karabakh, a South Caucasus territory liberated in 2020-2023 from a nearly 30-year occupation.

In addition to humanitarian aid, Rafiyev emphasized that Azerbaijan would continue to offer diplomatic support to Syria's new government.

Shaibani emphasized that Azerbaijan's liberation of its territories from occupation was crucial for promoting global peace and stability, and extended his congratulations to the Azerbaijani people.

He also underscored the importance of the people's rise to power in Syria, comparing it to Azerbaijan's victory in Karabakh.

He outlined the new government’s primary goals of fostering peaceful relations with neighboring countries and ensuring national unity through dialogue with all internal factions.

*Writing by Muhammed Enes Calli