Ryzhenkov: Belarus, Syria have potential to further strengthen co-operation

Minsk and Damascus have the potential to further strengthen foreign policy co-operation, liaisons between the two countries’ foreign ministries and business communities, as well as interaction on other issues of mutual interest – as noted by Belarus’ Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov today, October 29th, during a narrow-format meeting with Syrian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Bassam Sabbagh in Minsk

“I am very grateful for your response to visit Belarus. Literally a month has passed since our meeting at the UN General Assembly and my invitation to arrive at our conference. Today we have gathered to discuss issues of mutual interest, including in terms of the international agenda, as well as bilateral relations,” Mr. Ryzhenkov noted.

“We have quite active contacts between Belarus and Syria, but there is definitely untapped potential to further strengthen foreign policy co-operation, liaisons between the two countries’ foreign ministries and business communities, as well as interaction on other issues of mutual interest,” Belarus’ FM emphasised.

Syrian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Bassam Sabbagh is currently on a working visit to Belarus and is expected to take part in the 2nd Minsk International Conference on Eurasian Security. In September, Maxim Ryzhenkov and Bassam Sabbagh held a meeting on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, where they discussed projects to restore the infrastructure and economy of Syria, the continuation of the recuperation of Syrian children in Belarus and other issues.