Arab News Japan

TOKYO: The Syrian Embassy in Tokyo on Tuesday held what it termed a “momentous occasion” to officially raise a new national Syrian flag at a ceremony attended by Syrian residents of Japan.

“This flag is a symbol of our nation’s resilience and progress and represents the culmination of significant developments since the revolution in Syria,” the Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires Mohamed Najib Elji told Arab News Japan. “With the formation of a new government and the plan for a new election, Syria is on a path towards stability. The raising of this flag is a powerful step, a testament to the global recognition of the Syrian government.”

Syria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Al-Shibani has recently raised the new Syrian flag at the United Nations.

Elji said the flag-raising signals to the world that Syria is under new leadership and is once again an active member of the international community. “It represents a significant step toward restoring our relations with Japan,” he said.

Syria and Japan have maintained diplomatic relations despite Japan closing its embassy in Damascus “due to the security situation in the country.”

“Japan and Syria share a long history of strong and positive relations,” Elji said. “With the raising of the new Syrian flag, we are optimistic about a new chapter in our bilateral relations. We look forward to increased cooperation and a more supportive stance from the Japanese government towards Syria.”