Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 3 December (BelTA) – Syria appreciates Belarus’ principled stand in support of Damascus in its fight against terrorism and Minsk’s assistance to Syria, Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Ayman Soussan said when presenting the Syrian order “For Services” highest class to Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Syria Alexander Ponomarev, BelTA learned from the Belarusian diplomatic mission in Damascus.

Belarus has always sought to provide all-round support to Syria during the conflict. Ayman Soussan expressed deep appreciation to Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko for, among other things, the recuperation program for Syrian children. Under this program, initiated by the head of state in 2017, nearly 600 children have visited Belarus. At present the Belarusian government continues to provide support to Syria on many fronts, including in the international arena.

Alexander Ponomarev was honored in recognition of his achievements to build up cooperation between Belarus and Syria during his tenure as ambassador in Damascus in 2014-2018 which is currently ending. Ayman Soussan noted that the Belarusian ambassador performed his duties in an exemplary manner and contributed greatly to the strengthening of friendship and cooperation between Belarus and Syria.

The Belarusian diplomat, in turn, noted that a lot is yet to be done to restore the full Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity, to protect the country from foreign interference, to remove the unjust unilateral coercive measures against the Syrian people, to end the huge political pressure and systematic, misleading campaigns by foreign media, and to restore the infrastructure destroyed by years of conflict and to revive the Syrian economy. The ambassador expressed his confidence that the Syrian government will be able to restore peace and stability in the country.

The awards ceremony was held with the participation of the senior officers of the Syrian Foreign Ministry and the heads of diplomatic missions of foreign states.