Ministry of Tourism seeks to coordinate with Russia to prevent World Tourism Organization from withholding its membership

The first session witnessed sharp discussions on the main topic, which is the proposal of the Western countries to suspend the membership of the Russian Federation in the organization.

At the beginning of the session, the Russian delegation announced Russia’s position to withdraw from the organization, in response to targeting its country and politicizing the work of the organization in contravention of its founding charter and objectives.

Minister Martini affirmed the Syrian position represented by Russia’s support and objection to holding this exceptional session and to the proposal of the European Group headed by France to suspend Russia’s membership.

A number of countries objected to the legitimacy of the meeting, the violation of the charter of the founding of the World Tourism Organization, and the principle of suspending the membership of the Russian Federation, most notably China, Algeria, Saudi Arabia and Belarus.

On the sidelines of the meetings, a consultative meeting was held between the Syrian and Russian delegations, which was chaired by Minister Martini from the Syrian side and from the Russian side by the Russian ambassador in Madrid, Yuri Korchagin. 

Martini affirmed in this meeting full coordination and conformity of positions with the Russian Federation and confronting all possible legal means to try to block its membership in the organization.

The two delegations affirmed the continuation of coordination in all international forums and confronting Western attempts to isolate Russia, in addition to joint coordination in all political, economic and humanitarian fields between the two countries.

Raghda Sawas