Mikdad calls for coordinating efforts to foil the Western attempts to interfere in states’ internal affairs

22 September، 2022 New York, SANA- On the sidelines of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA77), Foreign and Expatriates Minister, Dr. Fayssal Mikdad, discussed with the foreign ministers of Belarus, Laos, Nicaragua and Venezuela developments in the international arena and issues related to bilateral relations and the need to confront illegal unilateral coercive measures imposed by the West on some countries. Mikdad and his Belarusian counterpart Vladimir Makei agreed on the need to work to strengthen bilateral relations in various fields, especially in light of the difficulties the two countries are facing due to the illegal unilateral coercive measures imposed on their peoples by the United States of America and other Western states. Minister Mikdad made it clear that Syria and Belarus face common challenges stemming from Western countries’ attempt to interfere in their internal affairs, stressing the importance of continuing coordination and cooperation bilaterally and at international forums to confront and thwart these attempts. For his part, Minister Makei affirmed his country’s readiness for further cooperation with Syria, which is considered a reliable historical partner of Belarus. During his meeting with Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Denis Moncada, Minister Mikdad signed an agreement on mutual exemption from entry visas for holders of diplomatic and official passports. The two ministers also discussed ways to enhance relations of cooperation between the two friendly countries, including benefiting from the experiences of both countries in facing the challenges they are exposed to and developing tangible means to push these relations forward. Minister Mikdad noted that cooperation and coordination between the two countries at international forums is in the highest form and must continue, especially in light of the challenges faced by both countries due to the hostile policies of the Western states. Minister Mikdad also agreed with the Foreign Minister of Laos People’s Democratic Republic Saleumxay Kommasith that Syria and Laos share many principles and values and adopt the same positions on many issues raised on the international scene. He highlighted the importance of communication and coordination between the two countries at international forums. Minister Kommasith indicated that his country supports Syria’s resistance to any forces that seek to undermine its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and that Syria’s determination and strength in defending this sovereignty is an example for many countries to follow. At the conclusion of his meetings on the second day of the work of the General Assembly, Minister Mikdad met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Carlos Faria Tortosa, where the two ministers expressed their pride in the friendly relations binding the two countries’ leaderships and peoples. The two ministers held detailed discussions on various aspects related to strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries and investing all available capabilities to serve their common interests, especially as they face the same unilateral coercive measures aimed at breaking their will and independent decision. Minister Mikdad condemned the US attempts to interfere in Venezuela’s internal affairs, expressing Syria’s firm stance in supporting Venezuela in the face of these hostile US attempts and measures. For his part, Minister Tortosa praised Syria’s steadfastness in confronting terrorism and defending its sovereignty and independence, pointing to Venezuela’s aspiration to return things to normal in Syria as soon as possible. He called on the United Nations to shoulder its responsibilities towards the illegal practices carried out by some countries in different regions of the world. The viewpoints of the two ministers converged on the necessity of following up on the momentum that was generated through the establishment of the Group of Friends in Defense of the United Nations Charter as a platform for protecting the noble principles and goals that came in the Charter and which Western countries have disregarded.