Cyprus Ambassador in Damascus met with Information Minister of Syria

The Cyprus Ambassador to Damascus, Efstathios Orphanides, met recently with the Information Minister of Syria, Dr Mohsen Bilal, whom he briefed on the election of President Demetris Christofias, the election of the President of the House of Representatives, Marios Karoyian, and the appointment of the new Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou.

The Ambassador also briefed the Syrian Minister on the Cyprus problem, stressing that the basis for the beginning of a new initiative on the Cyprus issue, both procedurally and substantively, is the 8th July Agreement. Orphanides said that the new President expects that a new effort will start for the solution of the Cyprus problem.

Dr Bilal referred to the close relations between Cyprus and Syria, stressing that in this framework the Deputy Foreign Minister Dr Fayssal Mekdad visited Cyprus as a Special Envoy of President Assad to convey a message of congratulations to President Christofias and the wish of the Government of Syria to further strengthen and enhance the two countries’ friendly relations.

Dr Bilal added that his Ministry’s preparations are unjderway for the local and international press coverage of the 20th Arab League Summit, which will take place in Damascus on March 29 – 30 and suggested that Cypriot journalists visit Damascus for the Summit.