Mikdad discusses with the foreign ministers of Venezuela, Belarus and Kyrgyzstan strengthening bilateral relations

New York (ST): Foreign and Expatriates Minister Dr. Faisal Mikdad, discussed in New York with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela, Felix Placencia Gonzalez, ways to develop bilateral relations. 

During the meeting, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, the two ministers also discussed ways to support the steadfastness of the peoples of the two countries in the face of the economic blockade they are subjected to and attempts of external interference in their affairs.

The two sides discussed in detail the practical steps that can be taken to activate the work of the Friends of Defense Group of the United Nations Charter to be an effective group that stands in the face of all attempts to violate the provisions of the Charter. 

Minister Mikdad also met with Kyrgyzstan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Ruslan Kazakbayev, where they discussed ways to open prospects for bilateral cooperation in light of the historical relations and ties that unite the two friendly countries.

The two ministers discussed the issue of coordination on combating terrorism and extremism in light of what Syria has been subjected to during the past ten years from the influx of dozens of foreign terrorists.

Minister Mikdad also met with Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei, where the two sides stressed the importance of the distinguished relations between the two friendly countries and the need to develop them in various fields in the interest of their peoples. 

The views of the two sides were identical regarding the rejection of all attempts of external interference in their internal affairs and the necessity of coordinating positions in various international forums to defend the interests of the two countries. The two ministers condemned the unilateral coercive measures targeting the Syrian and Belarusian peoples and agreed on the need to work together and coordinate with other friendly countries to overcome their effects. 

Meanwhile, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths visited the headquarters of the permanent delegation of Syria to the United Nations, where Minister Mikdad discussed with him the activities carried out by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid “OCHA” and international organizations working in humanitarian affairs in Syria and ways to develop the existing cooperation between them and the Syrian government.

Minister Al-Mikdad stressed the need not to politicize the issue of providing humanitarian aid from some countries that exploit their funding for such assistance to achieve political purposes, stressing the need to focus on early recovery projects and support resilience.

Minister Mikdad met with Minister Leonardo Santos Simao, the special envoy of the President of the Republic of Mozambique, who conveyed his country’s request for Syria’s support for Mozambique’s candidacy for membership in the Security Council for the period 2023-2024, especially since it has not obtained this membership since its accession to the United Nations. 

Minister Miqdad pointed to the importance of the participation of African countries in the membership of the Security Council, especially as they have long suffered from the scourge of colonialism and fought a long march to achieve independence and national liberation, pointing out that African countries are among the countries most exposed to economic exploitation and political pressure.

K.Q.