Al-Moallem Holds Talks with His Russian, Cypriot and Venezuelan Counterparts on Developments in Syria, Bilateral Ties
NEW YORK, (ST)-On the sidelines of the 74th Session of the UN General Assembly, Deputy Premier, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Walid al-Moallem held talks with his Russian, Cypriot and Venezuelan Counterparts.
The talks dealt on ways to boost Syria’s ties with each of Russia, Cyprus and Venezuela and on the latest developments in Syria.
Al-Moallem and Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, discussed issues relating to the newly formed committee for discussing the Syrian constitution, the continuous fight against terrorism until all the Syrian territories are liberated and the pulling out of the foreign forces which are illegally present in Syria.
The two sides affirmed that the creation of the constitutional committee on Syria is a key step in the political process and an important achievement that would realized the aspirations of the Syrian people. They reiterated that the constitutional process in Syria should be formed and led by the Syrians themselves without the intervention of any foreign party.
In the same context, al-Moallem discussions with the Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza focused on coordination between Syria and Venezuela in confrontation of the economic terrorism and hegemony the United States is trying to impose on both countries.
The necessity of continuous coordination between the two countries at international gatherings was also stressed.
Al-Moallem reaffirmed Syria’s firm support for Venezuela in the face of the US attempts to spread chaos in the country and put pressure on the Venezuelan people to force them to surrender to the US dictates.
Arreaza, on his part, reiterated his country’s support for Syria’s war on terrorism.
The Syrian top diplomat’s talks with the Cypriot Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides dealt with the importance of the geographic position of Syria and Cyprus in enhancing bilateral ties between the two countries.
Christodoulides affirmed his country’s support for the efforts being exerted to achieve progress in the political process aiming at reaching a political solution in Syria, expressing hope that security and stability with prevail in the entire Syrian territory soon.
In addition, al-Moallem held a meeting with Rola Dashti, the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), and discussed with her the growing cooperation between Syria and ESCWA.
The two sides affirmed the importance of consolidating joint development action in the light of developments in Syria and in a way that goes in line with Syria’s priorities, needs and interests.
They also discussed the importance of ESCWA’s contribution to enhancing the Syrian skills necessary for launching the country’s reconstruction program.
Hamda Mustafa