Need for international efforts and genuine will as to fight terrorism underlined

 DAMASCUS, (ST)_ H.E. President Bashar Al-Assad underscored the need for international efforts and genuine will as to fight terrorism, which starts to hit some countries.

Receiving the visiting Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Vladimir Makei here Monday, President Al-Assad reiterated that Syria would pursue its war against terrorism in parallel with national dialogue and realization of reconciliations on the ground.

H.E. President Al-Assad pointed out that some Western States have problems with the countries that have their independency of decision, so they seek to put pressure with all means on them.

H.E. President Al-Assad called on the countries of independent decision to stand together and cooperate among them as to bolster their strength and realize the will of their people in preserving independency and preventing foreign interference inn their domestic affairs.

H.E. President Al-Assad was handed during the meeting with  minister Makei a message from His Belarusian counterpart, Alexander Lukashenka.

President Lukashenka expressed in the message  Belarusian support to Syria against terrorism targeting it as well as his self confidence in the ability of the Syrian people to achieve victory and overcome the crisis, stressing Belarus keenness on developing the relations with the friendly Syria in all fields.

Minister Makei voiced his country’s support for Syria’s approach for the restoration of security and stability to its territories.

Minister Makei pointed out that many countries have changed their convictions about the ongoing in Syria believing in the necessity of finding the necessary solution as to put an end to the suffering of Syrians as well as to the risks of terrorism expansion against the region and the world.

Belarus Foreign Ministry has issued a statement about Mr. Makei’s current visit to Syria. The statement reads as follows:

On February 8-9, 2015, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Vladimir Makei paid an official visit to the Syrian Arab Republic.

During the visit, Vladimir Makei met with President Bashar al-Assad, Prime Minister Wael al-Halki, Minister of Foreign Affairs Walid al-Moualem, Grand Mufti of Syria Ahmad Badr ad-Din Hassoun, representatives of Syrian business community.

The sides discussed the recent state and prospects of development of the bilateral relations in political, trade, economic, business, scientific, technical, humanitarian and other fields, the issues of mutual support on the international arena, including the situation in Syria and in the region. The parties exchanged views on urgent issues of the international agenda.

The Minister handed over to President of Syria Bashar al-Assad a message by President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko.

During the talks, the Minister expressed support to the Syrian people in their struggle against foreign interference and terrorism.

He affirmed commitment to further develop comprehensive Belarus-Syria cooperation and willingness of the Republic of Belarus to assist post-conflict economic recovery of Syria.

During the meeting with representatives of Syrian business community, the discussions focused on ways of expanding mutual trade and investment cooperation.

To develop legal basis of bilateral relations Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Belarus and the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Affairs, Agreement between the Ministry for Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus and the Ministry of Local Government of the Syrian Arab Republic on Cooperation in the Sphere of Prevention and Mitigation Emergency Situations, as well as Protocol on the Exchange of the Ratification Instruments of Treaty between the Republic of Belarus and the Syrian Arab Republic on Legal Assistance in Civil and Criminal Matters were signed.

M. Al-Ibrahim