ACCORDING TO BASHAR AL-ASSAD, NORMALIZATION OF ARMENIAN-TURKISH RELATIONS TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPEMENT OF ARMENIA, SYRIA AND TURKEY

Noyan Tapan
June 18, 2009

YEREVAN, JUNE 18, NOYAN TAPAN. "The visit to Armenia has a great
significance for us, as we know Armenian culture but we are not well
informed about its current situation." President of Syria Bashar
al-Assad said this during the Armenian-Syrian business forum and
added that it is a very good opportunity to get acquainted with the
economic and political situation of the country. He noted that for
expanding the cooperation between the two countries short-term and
long-term programs need to be implemented through investments and
business meetings need to be organized.

According to him, for this it is important to create a convenient
legal sphere for two countries, for the businessmen to be able to
make investments.

According to B. al-Assad, the only impediment for the developement
of the relations between Armenia and Syria is the lack of land
communication. "We spoke to the Armenian President about the problem
of how to improve Armenian-Turkish relations, as the solution of this
problem will contribute not only to the development of Armenian and
Turkish economies but also the economy of Syria," B. al-Assad said.

The President of Syria noted that the conflicts, be them in the
Caucasus or in the Middle East, should be solved peacfully. According
to him, it will give an opportunity to the businessmen to make
investments trustfully.

"Yesterday I saw the Armenian tourism map and learnt how many beautiful
places there are in Armenia. And if the visits are accompanied with
Aleppo dishes it will be wonderful and they will be very good tourist
places," B. al-Assad said.