ARMENIA, SYRIA TO DISCUSS SIMPLIFICATIONS OF VISA PROCEDURES IN SEP ’09

ARKA
June 18, 2009

YEREVAN, June 18. /ARKA/. Armenia and Syria plan to discuss possible
simplifications in visa procedures at an intergovernmental meeting in
September 2009, said Syria’s President Bashar al-Asad at the Thursday
opening of the Armenian-Syrian business forum.

Simplifications of visa procedures aim at boosting business and
tourism between Armenia and Syria, the Syrian president added.

According to Al-Asad, changes in the visa regime will enable
Armenian businessmen in Syria to maintain constant relations with
their motherland.

The president pointed out long-term cooperation between Armenia and
Syria, adding he had discussed Iran-Armenia railway construction with
his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sargsyan.

"Armenia and Syria are small countries, but we are both of great
geopolitical importance in terms of oil and gas mains and railways,"
Al-Asad said.