Bassil to Austrian Counterpart: To Join Efforts for Return of Refugees

Caretaker Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil met on Monday with his Austrian counterpart Karin Kneissl where they highlighted cooperation for the return of refugees back Syria, the National News Agency reported.

“We seek cooperation with Austria, the international community and the European Union to ensure the swift return of displaced Syrians, thus preserving Syria’s stability and its fabric,” said Bassil in a joint conference with Kneissl.

“Syria is a place of coexistence. We share a lot of ideas about the mechanisms for the refugees’ return,”added Bassil.

The Minister said the return will take place under the “proper circumstances,” noting that the “Syrian Foreign Minister has reiterated willingness to receive each and every refugee who fled the country as the result of security conditions.”

The return of Syrians who fled for security conditions is “much easier than those who fled for political reasons,” he said.

For her part, Kneissl said: “I respect Lebanon and the Lebanese people for their generosity in hosting the displaced Syrians over the past years.”