Lukashenka wants to give a shake to relations with Syria

Alyaksandr Lukashenka declared necessary new dynamism in Belaruain-Syrian relations in various directions.

“We need a strong additional impact to give new dynamism to the Belaruisian-Syrian relations,” A. Lukashenka said at a meeting in Minsk with foreign minister of Walid al Muallem.

As the head of state noted that the current relations with Syria resemble “frozen see surface, which needs a shake”. According to Lukashenka, there are a number of reasons for this, including “international challenges”. “We need exchange of top level visit,” A. Lukashenka said. He also noted that Syrian president Bashar Al-Asad was expected expected to pay a visit to Belarus in early 2009.

According to Alyaksandr Lukashenka, the foreign ministries “should analyse and revise the existing bilateral agreements in order to submit specific proposals to the presidents and define the areas the parties will promote strategic cooperation.”

A. Lukashenka stressed that there were “no topics we cannot discuss” with Syria. “Everything we can do for the Syrians we will,” the Belarusian president noted.

The foreign minister of Syria said in his turn that some steps necessary for the cooperation had been discussed during his visit to Minsk. “Despite the certain progress in the bilateral collaboration the overall Belarusian-Syrian trade and economic cooperation does not meet the level reached by the leadership of the two countries,” Walid Al Mualem said.