Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad (right) shakes hands with the new United Arab Emirates Ambassador to Syria Hassan Ahmad al-Shihi and receive his credentials, in Damascus, Syria, Jan 30, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)

DAMASCUS - Hassan Ahmad al-Shihi on Tuesday officially presented his credentials to Syria's Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad, becoming the first ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Syria in 13 years.

At his meeting with Mekdad in the Syrian capital Damascus, al-Shihi conveyed to the Syrian side his commitment to enhancing bilateral relations between the two countries, the official Syrian news agency SANA reported.

In recent years, the relations between Syria and the UAE have improved, with the UAE playing a role in bringing Syria back to the Arab League last year and providing significant relief aid during a deadly earthquake in February last year

The UAE envoy also pledged to work to strengthen cooperation and achieve mutual progress between the two Arab states, the report said.

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For his part, Mekdad expressed Syria's deep appreciation for the UAE's solidarity with and support for Syria during challenging times.

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The UAE embassy reopened in Syria in 2018 and a charge d'affaires has been in charge of the diplomatic mission since then. 

In recent years, the relations between Syria and the UAE have improved, with the UAE playing a role in bringing Syria back to the Arab League last year and providing significant relief aid during a deadly earthquake in February last year.

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Syrian President Bashar al-Assad visited the Gulf country in 2022, his first visit to an Arab country since Syria's civil war erupted in 2011 when the UAE recalled its ambassador from Syria.