Analysts believe that this visit marks the further approach of Syria and the UAE and even more Arab countries. The improvement of relations between Arab countries represented by the UAE and Syria is in line with their respective political and economic interests. recognized by the Arab world.

According to local media reports, Bashar was warmly received by the UAE government on the 18th. UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, Dubai Ruler Al Maktoum and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Al Nahyan held talks with Bashar respectively. Al Nahyan said Syria is a "key pillar of Arab security" and the UAE looks forward to cooperating with Syria to help it achieve stability and development, hoping that "this visit will be the beginning of peace and stability in Syria and the entire region." At the same time, he also stressed that all foreign troops illegally present in Syria should be withdrawn.

The UAE's "The National" reported that Bashar's visit was the result of several rounds of communication and consultation between the two countries recently. The two sides had extensive consultations in various fields involving their respective interests. The UAE will provide Syria with political and humanitarian support to facilitate a peaceful solution. After the Syrian crisis broke out, the League of Arab States (Arab League) suspended Syria's membership, and many Arab countries, including members of the Gulf Cooperation Council for Arab States, closed their embassies in Syria.

Syrian political science expert Hussam Shuaib believes that the significance of this visit is not only the improvement of relations between Syria and the United Arab Emirates, but also a clear signal that the Gulf countries and the entire Arab world hope to reconcile with Syria. "Because the UAE is the vanguard of the Gulf countries and the gateway to Syria's return to the Arab world."

mutual need

In recent years, the UAE and Syria have gradually strengthened diplomatic ties. At the end of December 2018, the UAE reopened its embassy in Syria. On November 9, 2021, Abdullah, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, led a delegation to visit Syria and held a meeting with Assad. In addition to the UAE, many Arab countries have shown their willingness to normalize relations with Syria. Egypt, Lebanon and other countries have called on the Arab League to restore Syria's membership, and many countries have reopened their embassies in Syria or border crossings with Syria. Analysts pointed out that for Arab countries, reconciling with Syria involves both geopolitical interests and economic benefits.

In terms of geopolitics, during the Syrian crisis, the relationship between Iran and Syria has continued to draw closer, which has aroused the vigilance of the Gulf Arab countries. Syrian political analyst Imad Salim said that if Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other countries want to balance Iran and Turkey in the region, they must win over Syria. Economic factors are also an important reason for Arab countries to improve their relations with the Syrian government. Syria has important land ports and natural gas pipelines. In order to solve their own economic difficulties, countries such as Lebanon and Jordan hope to improve their relations with Syria and seek more cooperation possibilities.

For Syria, strengthening interaction with Arab countries can not only gain political support and change the state of diplomatic isolation that has lasted for many years, but also help strengthen cooperation with important regional economies such as the United Arab Emirates and improve the economy hit hard by war, the new crown epidemic and Western sanctions.

U.S. opposition to no avail

When Abdullah, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation led a delegation to Syria in November 2021, U.S. government officials said they did not support “normalizing or repairing” relations with the Assad regime. Regarding Assad's visit to the UAE, US State Department spokesman Price responded that the US does not support the normalization of relations between other countries and the Syrian regime, and will not lift sanctions against Syria until progress is made in a political solution to the Syrian crisis. Support the reconstruction of Syria.

Analysts pointed out that some Arab countries believe that the United States ignored the security concerns of these countries and failed to effectively curb Iran's expansion of regional influence, and the uncertainty of the United States' role in the Middle East is increasing. At the same time, the sanctions imposed on Syria by Western countries led by the United States have caused the deterioration of the regional economic and humanitarian situation, and also aroused the resentment of relevant countries. All of the above reasons have prompted Arab countries to take a more proactive stance to interact with Syria frequently. Keywords: One Belt One Road, One Belt One Road News, One Belt One Road Project

Imad Salim pointed out that based on their own political and economic interests, countries in the Middle East have begun to develop balanced diplomacy and seek to develop relations with countries other than the United States.Editor/XuNing