RA FOREIGN MINISTER’S VISIT TO NEAR EAST COUNTRIES CONCLUDED

Noyan Tapan

F eb 27, 2009

DAMASCUS, FEBRUARY 27, NOYAN TAPAN. Syria attaches importance to
development of relations with Armenia in various spheres, and there
is proper political will and rather large legal-contractual sphere
for it. President of Syria Bashar al-Assad stated on February 26
receiving RA Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian, who was in Damascus
on an official visit.

E. Nalbandian, in his turn, mentioned that Armenia is interested in
expansion and strenthening of mutually beneficial cooperation with
one of the leading states of Arab world, Syria.

During the meeting thoughts were exchanged over settlement of problems
in the Near East. The RA Foreign Minister presented the President of
Syria with the Nagorno Karabakh settlement negotiations process and
possibilities of Armenian-Turkish relations’ normalization.

Bashar al-Assad welcomed Armenia’s steps aimed at establishment
of relations with Turkey giving assurance that they contribute to
strengthening of stability and security in the region.

Issues regarding further expansion of bilateral relations were
discussed during the meeting with Foreign Minister of Syria Walid
Muallem. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the two countries’
efficient cooperation in various formats and with the Intergovernmental
Commission’s activity. During the meeting an agreement was reached
to provide a buliding for RA Embassy in Damascus.

The RA and Syrian Foreign Ministers signed an agreement on bilateral
release from the requirement to receive an entrance visa between RA
government and Syrian government for persons having diplomatic and
official passports.

According to the RA Foreign Ministry Press and Information Department,
the same day E. Nalbandian met with heads of Armenian organizations
in Damascus, leaders of Armenian Apostolic Church Damascus diocese,
Armenian Catholic Church, and Armenian Evangelic Church.

Concluding his regional visit to the Middle East countries, the RA
Foreign Minister returned to Yerevan.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress