Damascus, SANA-Foreign and Expatriates Minister, Fayssal Mikdad, discussed with the Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ramtane Lamamra means of developing cooperation in various sectors, in the context of the distinguished bilateral relations linking the two brotherly countries, including the promotion and revitalization of political, economic and cultural relations.
During the meeting, the two sides agreed to activate the Syrian-Algerian Joint Higher Committee and to hold its next meeting before the end of this year, in addition to forming a joint council for Syrian-Algerian businessmen.
Mikdad, affirmed that Syrian-Algerian relations are deeply -rooted and Algeria stood by the Syrian people throughout the years of the terrorist war against them, noting that Syria’s main concern is to enhance Arab solidarity and unify the word in the face of common challenges.
“We discussed the distinguished bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries and means of developing them, and these meetings serve the interests of the Syrian and Algerian peoples and the real aspirations of our nation and our peoples and for all those who seek dignity, liberation, independence and sovereignty in all parts,” Mikdad said during a joint press conference on Monday following the meeting.
He described relations with Algeria as deep-rooted , and the latter has stood by the Syrian people for the past 11 years, condemned terrorism, and expressed its rejection of the coercive Western economic measures that were imposed on Syria and exacerbated the suffering of its people and impeded the process of rebuilding what was destroyed by terrorism.
Mikdad went on to say that Minister Lamamra is visiting Damascus to consult and coordinate with us on the best steps towards the challenges facing the Arab countries, and we welcome any Arab-Arab coordination and any Arab-Arab consultations to reach a unified stance to confront them, indicating that coordination between Syria, Algeria and the Arab countries is ongoing, and everyone should realize that Syria’s presence is very important in heart of the Arab action .
“We have to deal with issues realistically and take into consideration the pressures being excreted on all domains, thus we can solve many international and regional issues”, Mikdad said responding to a question raised about Syria’s participation at the upcoming Arab Summit to be held in Algeria.
He added that Syria will remain the heart of joint Arab work, and if there will be some procedures taken on contrast with this fact then they are imposed by international pressures and certain circumstances”.
For his part, Lamamra said “It was an honor to meet President al-Assad, I handed him a letter from his brother, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, and President al-Assad conveyed his reply to the letter and issues of common interest.”
Lamamra said that the meeting touched upon the bilateral relations and the importance of encouraging businessmen from both sides to deepen and broaden the commercial and economic exchange, adding that the two sides are working on preparing for supreme joint cooperation committee along with ratifying some agreements that contribute to promoting the bilateral work.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)