South Korea discusses establishing diplomatic relations with Syria

South Korean government has decided to consider establishing formal diplomatic relations with Syria, after the fall of Assad regime, following a long estrangement.

Yonhap News Agency quoted a South Korean Foreign Ministry official as saying: “During our recent visit to Syria, the Syrian interim government also confirmed its readiness to establish diplomatic relations with Seoul, as Foreign Minister Asaad al-Sheibani expressed Syria’s intention to establish new bilateral relations with South Korea”.

The official added : “During our talks with Syrian officials, we confirmed Seoul’s continued support for the Syrian people’s march towards freedom and democracy. We also noted the benefits that can be gained from potential economic cooperation between the two countries, while affirming the determination to participate in the efforts to rebuild Syria.”

Last Saturday, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad Al-Shibani met with a diplomatic delegation led by the Director General of African and Middle Eastern Affairs at the South Korean Foreign Ministry Eun Jung Kim. During the meeting, Al-Shibani stressed Syria’s keenness to work to open a “new page” and establish good relations with South Korea, in a way that serves the interests of both peoples.

Nada Haj Khidr