President Ahmad Al-Sharaa said the Syrian Arab Republic can become a secure strategic corridor linking Central Asia and the Gulf with Europe, presenting his vision during a regional meeting in Nicosia. He described the gathering as a sign of political and strategic maturity reflecting a new geopolitical reality that requires deeper regional cooperation.

Al-Sharaa stressed that European security and regional stability are closely connected and called for shared responsibility among Mediterranean and regional states. He warned that disruptions to global trade routes and potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz highlight the urgent need for new strategies to protect supply chains and ensure economic resilience.

He emphasized that a Mediterranean partnership between Arab states and Europe is essential to sustaining energy flows and safeguarding global supplies, adding that Europe and Syria need one another. The president also urged the international community to address continued Israeli violations of Syrian sovereignty, saying such actions threaten reconstruction efforts and regional stability.

Al-Sharaa introduced the Four Seas Initiative and Nine Corridors Initiative, aimed at positioning Syria as a safe alternative route connecting Central Asia and the Gulf to Europe. He said the Nicosia meeting paves the way for a broader milestone in Brussels on May 11, when Syria and the European Union are expected to launch a high-level political dialogue.