Boosting Economic Relations with Cyprus

Damascus, (ST) – Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade, Dr. Adib Mayaleh affirmed that the Syrian economy, and in spite of all the hard circumstances survived, referring to the extensive damage suffered by the terrorist war being waged against Syria and the unjust economic blockade.

During a meeting with the Archbishop of Cyprus Kreso Stumus II held yesterday here, Dr. Mayaleh called his delegation to convey the true picture of the situation in Syria by Cyprus as an EU member and the of suffering of the Syrian people from terrorist groups.

 “Moral support of friendly countries to the Syrian people and his leadership is as important as economic and military support in light of the circumstances surrounding Syria,” Dr. Mayaleh said.

For his part, the Archbishop of Cyprus stressed the solidarity of Cyprus and all the forces of good, and peace with the Syrian people, which represent a model of steadfastness and resistance against the forces of evil and terrorism and an example of tolerance, explaining that the aim of the visit, to convey the true picture of what is happening in Syria, expressing his wishes for the restoration of Syria security and stability soon.

Head of the Syrian Federation of Chambers of Commerce Mohammad Ghassan Qaalla and Mr. Chryso stomos II and his accompanying delegation discussed ways to re-strengthen and promotion of economic and trade relations between Syria and Cyprus and work on the revision of the European economic sanctions on Syria.

Mr. al Qalla affirmed the deep historical, commercial, economic and tourism relations between Syria and Cyprus, noting “that Cyprus was at one stage an important place for the offices of Syrian trade with the world and allowed them to many job opportunities in addition to the ports of Cyprus were a place to unload large ships and re-loaded smaller ships to be transported to the Syrian ports “.

He said that the delegation’s visit to the Chamber is a message addressed to each one of the European countries to reconsider its relations with Syria.

For his part, the Archbishop of Cyprus said that the aim of the visit to the Chamber of Commerce is to exchange views with officials in order to improve bilateral relations between the two countries and between Syria and the European Union by virtue of Cyprus’s membership in the Union.

He pointed out that he would work through his meetings with European ambassadors accredited to Cyprus or by the State Department to ease sanctions imposed on Syria and lift the injustice imposed on Syria adding that “unfortunately, the principles of the European Union have become impaired and non-existent whereas interest is superior to everything”.

For its part, he indicated the Board of Directors of the Chamber member Sonia Khanji that the war being waged against Syria targeting Syrians at various affiliations calling on the Archbishop of Cyprus, the fact that his country is a member of the European Union to work to lift the sanctions imposed on the Syrian people, being one of the main reasons for the migration of the Syrians to Europe in addition to the easier to get a visa to Cyprus.

For his part, the Chamber’s board member Abul Huda Lahham expressed hope that this visit will pave to further strengthen relations between Syria and Cyprus and the lifting of economic sanctions on Syria and the return of trade and economic relations between the two countries.

Sh. Kh.