MINSK, 29 October (BelTA) – Belarus and Syria have agreed to continue interaction based on long-standing traditions of friendship, Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Maksim Ryzhenkov said following his talks with Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Bassam Sabbagh in Minsk on 29 October, BelTA has learned.
"We have just concluded the talks with my counterpart, Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Bassam Sabbagh," the Belarusian minister emphasized. "We are very happy that he visited us almost immediately after receiving the invitation. We met during the UN General Assembly session in New York. His arrival can be seen as one of the results of our negotiations in New York. I am glad that only a month has passed and he is already visiting our country."
Maksim Ryzhenkov pointed out the importance of the fact that Belarus is the first country that Bassam Sabbagh visited in the capacity of minister.
"All this gives reason to believe that the friendship, mutual support and assistance established by many generations of Belarusians and Syrians during the Soviet times continue. We will build up our interaction in every possible way based on this heritage," the minister said.
He went on saying: "We have prepared a very extensive program of work for the Syrian delegation, focusing not only on political contacts (although there will be many of them) but also on specific areas of trade and economic development. The Syrian delegation is expected to hold a number of negotiations with the Belarusian government officials responsible for trade and economic relations. The Syrian delegation is scheduled to visit a number of enterprises that already successfully cooperate with Syria, and those that intend to work with Syrian partners."
The parties are also planning to discuss the Belarusian-Syrian humanitarian cooperation.
The minister also pointed out: "Based on Syria’s request, we say openly that we support the Syrian government in its bid to expand partnership relations with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. This is perhaps our first statement as a full-fledged member of the SCO with regard to a state that aspires to become a member of this organization."
"In a few days we will continue our discussion in a more detailed manner at the 2nd Minsk International Conference on Eurasian Security, which will be attended by the Syrian delegation," Maksim Ryzhenkov said.
He wished the Syrian delegation to achieve all the planned goals, establish necessary contacts, get acquainted with Belarus, Belarusian culture, and feel the hospitality of the Belarusian people.
"We have just concluded the talks with my counterpart, Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Bassam Sabbagh," the Belarusian minister emphasized. "We are very happy that he visited us almost immediately after receiving the invitation. We met during the UN General Assembly session in New York. His arrival can be seen as one of the results of our negotiations in New York. I am glad that only a month has passed and he is already visiting our country."
Maksim Ryzhenkov pointed out the importance of the fact that Belarus is the first country that Bassam Sabbagh visited in the capacity of minister.
"All this gives reason to believe that the friendship, mutual support and assistance established by many generations of Belarusians and Syrians during the Soviet times continue. We will build up our interaction in every possible way based on this heritage," the minister said.
He went on saying: "We have prepared a very extensive program of work for the Syrian delegation, focusing not only on political contacts (although there will be many of them) but also on specific areas of trade and economic development. The Syrian delegation is expected to hold a number of negotiations with the Belarusian government officials responsible for trade and economic relations. The Syrian delegation is scheduled to visit a number of enterprises that already successfully cooperate with Syria, and those that intend to work with Syrian partners."
The parties are also planning to discuss the Belarusian-Syrian humanitarian cooperation.
The minister also pointed out: "Based on Syria’s request, we say openly that we support the Syrian government in its bid to expand partnership relations with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. This is perhaps our first statement as a full-fledged member of the SCO with regard to a state that aspires to become a member of this organization."
"In a few days we will continue our discussion in a more detailed manner at the 2nd Minsk International Conference on Eurasian Security, which will be attended by the Syrian delegation," Maksim Ryzhenkov said.
He wished the Syrian delegation to achieve all the planned goals, establish necessary contacts, get acquainted with Belarus, Belarusian culture, and feel the hospitality of the Belarusian people.
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