Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Pakistan Observer, Faisal Zahid Malik discussing important matters including bilateral trade, business and cultural exchanges between Pakistan and Syria with Ambassador of Syria Dr. Ramez Alraee during a call-on meeting.—PO photo by Sh Arif
Pakistan and Syria share many cultural, religious and historical values and bilateral relations between the two are based on mutual respect and a desire for stronger people-to-people and government-to-government cooperation. These views were ex-pressed by Ambassador of Syria, Dr Ramez Alraee during a meeting with Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Pakistan Observer, Mr Zahid Malik who called on him to discuss issues of mutual interest.
The Syrian ambassador informed the Chairman of the Pakistan Observer that the Syrian business community was keen to explore Pakistan’s market and Pakistani companies and investors should also benefit from the Syrian trade potential. The commercial, cultural and tourism relations between the two countries were still below the required level due to the special circumstances of the two countries, especially since Syria suffered from a terrorist war in past years and was able to defeat it under the leadership of President Bashar al-Assad and the support of the Syrian people for him and the sacrifices of the Syrian Army and the support of the allies and friends.
He added that the diplomatic mission of Syria in Islamabad was working to develop relations between the two sides in all areas in the future. He also underscored that cultural, economic and tour-ism diplomacy should go hand in hand along with conventional diplomacy as the world was rapidly transforming into a multi-polar world and every country should benefit from it.
Ambassador of Syria, Dr. Ramez Alraee presenting a souvenir to Faisal Zahid Malik.—PO photo
Syria is a land of ancient civilization and keeping in view its rich history and heritage, we at the Syrian embassy have set up a Syrian Cultural Corner, he further said. This corner showcases the history and culture of Syria that dates back to prehistoric times, he said.
Since the 1970s, we have been enjoying strong bond of friendship with Pakistan, said the ambassador adding the close relationship between the two sides continued through the visit made by former President Hafez al-Assad to Pakistan in 1974 and the visit made by President Asif Zardari to Syria and his meeting with President Bashar al-Assad in 2010.
Mr Faisal Malik appreciated the contributions made by the Syrian businessmen, health professionals and the government officials in strengthening bilateral relations between Pakistan and Syria and assured the ambassador of his newspaper’s complete sup-port in promoting the Pakistan-Syria relations.
