Damascus: Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab discussed security cooperation on Thursday with an official Austrian delegation, which included Ambassador Arad Benko, Austria’s special envoy to the Middle East, who is visiting Damascus. The discussions centered on immigration issues, the regulation of asylum procedures and the voluntary return of Syrian refugees, as well as the exchange of experiences in border management.

According to Qatar News Agency, the dialogue between the Syrian and Austrian officials comes at a time when many Syrian refugees worldwide have started their journey back home following the fall of the previous regime at the end of 2024. The meeting aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and addressing mutual concerns regarding the refugee situation.

The number of Syrian refugees in Austria is approximately 105,000 as of the beginning of 2025, making them one of the largest refugee and migrant groups in the country. Around 63,000 of these individuals reside in Vienna, based on Austrian government statistics. The discussions in Damascus are seen as a significant step towards facilitating the voluntary return of Syrian nationals and managing the asylum processes effectively.