Meeting with the parliamentary delegation of the Syrian Arab Republic

       On 22 June 2010 in the framework of the official visit of the Syrian parliamentary delegation to the Republic of Belarus Mr Anatoly Rubinov, Chairman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus, had a meeting with Mr Mahmoud al-Abrash, Chairman of the People’s Assembly of the Syrian Arab Republic. Other participants of the meeting were Mr Leonid Krupets, Deputy Chairman of the Council of the Republic, Mr Viktor Guminsky, Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives, Ms Nina Mazay, Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the Council of the Republic for Foreign Affairs and National Security, Mr Vadim Popov, Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the Council of the Republic for Economy, Budget and Finances, Mr Anatoly Glaz, Deputy Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the House of Representatives for Human Rights, National Relations and Mass Media, Head of the Working Group of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus for cooperation with the Parliament of the Syrian Arab Republic, and Mr Aleksandr Shakutin, member of the Standing Committee of the Council of the Republic for Foreign Affairs and National Security.

       During the meeting the sides discussed the development of bilateral inter-parliamentary links and the interaction in the spheres of trade, economy, culture, science and technology. Mr Anatoly Rubinov highly evaluated the level of dialogue between Belarus and Syria and noted that good relations between the leaders of our countries benefited to the development of that dialogue. He welcomed constructive relations between the legislative bodies of the two countries and underlined the interest in developing mutual rewarding cooperation in all fields of activity. The Chairman also stressed that Belarus and Syria had similar positions on the most of international issues and expressed gratitude for understanding and Syria’s constant support of Belarus in the international arena. He underlined broad prospects of bilateral trade and economic links development, in particular raising the bilateral goods turnover and establishing joint enterprises. In addition to that Mr Anatoly Rubinov paid special attention to the necessity of enhancing contacts in the spheres of science, culture and education.

       Mr Mahmoud al-Abrash, Chairman of the People’s Assembly of the Syrian Arab Republic, the head of the Syrian delegation, in his turn confirmed the interest in further development of inter-parliamentary cooperation. He noted that Mr Bashar Assad, President of the Syrian Arab Republic, welcomed the intensification of the whole range of relations with the Republic of Belarus. Mr Mahmoud al-Abrash also agreed with the proposal of Belarusian side to facilitate contacts in humanitarian sphere.

       During the meeting the sides exchanged their opinions on a wide range of issues of mutual interest. They also signed the Protocol to the Agreement on Cooperation between the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus and the People’s Assembly of the Syrian Arab Republic of August 3, 2004, which envisaged the establishment of joint Inter-parliamentary Committee. It is supposed that the activity of this Committee would enhance the efficiency of Belarus-Syria inter-parliamentary interaction. In particular, within its work parliamentary tools will be used for developing bilateral cooperation in the fields of trade and economy as well as in political, investment, scientific, ecological and other spheres.

       The visit of the Syrian parliamentary delegation will last until 24 June. Its programme contains meetings with the headship of the Belarusian Government and the Ministry of Defense as well as the visit to several Belarusian enterprises and organizations.