Czech Republic Backs Syria’s War against Terrorism

PRAGUE, (ST)-The latest developments in Syria as well as the efforts being exerted by the Syrian leadership as to combat terrorism and realize a political solution to the crisis in the country were main topics of discussion during the talks held on Wednesday between Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Faysal al-Mikdad and Czech officials including Vice-Speaker of the Czech Parliament Vojtech Filip and Chairman of the External Committee at the Parliament Carl Schwarzenberg.

Talks during the two meetings also focused the political and parliamentary relations between Syria and the Czech Republic.

 In a statement to SANA, al-Mikdad described the talks as very important and said that the Czech officials reiterated their country’s support for Syria and their condemnation of terrorism. Both hoped that Syria will eliminate terrorism soon and restore its key role in the region and the world, al-Mikdad said.

Vice-Speaker of the Czech Parliament Vojtech Filip, on his part, said al-Mikdad’s important visit to Prague came at a time when the Syrian people, through successful parliamentary elections, have chosen their representatives who the Syrians think will work to build Syria’s future and will be ready to struggle against terrorism.

Filip revealed that the Czech Foreign Ministry will send two planes carrying medicines to Syria.

On his part, Chairman of the External Committee at the Parliament Carl Schwarzenberg expressed pleasure over meeting al-Mikdad in Prague and hoped that relations between the European Union and Syria will be improved soon.

He also hoped that the relation between Syria and the Czech Republic will witness more progress.

Al-Mikdad: “Riyadh Opposition” not Serious about Reaching Political Settlement in Syria

Earlier, in a statement to SANA correspondent upon his arrival in the Czech capital, al-Mikdad described the decision made by the Saudi- backed opposition delegation (Riyadh opposition) to suspend their participation in Geneva Intra-Syrian talks as one of their “acrobatic moves” which proved that they weren’t serious about reaching a political solution in Syria.

 Al-Mikdad said that “Riyadh opposition can’t make their own decisions, because they are affiliated and loyal to some countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar.”

  He added that the Syrian Arab Republic’s delegation to the intra-Syrian talks went to Geneva with a clear realistic program aiming at making the talks a success and at realizing positive results through Syrian-Syrian dialogue. .

Al-Mikdad clarified that by visiting Prague he is visiting an EU member state, noting that he will also visit the Hague in the Netherlands to hold meetings with representatives of international institutions in the country.

He said he was optimistic that similar visits will be made soon by Syrian delegations to other European countries.

During his three-day visit to Prague, Al-Mikdad  is due to hold talks with senior political officials and economic figures.

Hamda Mustafa