Damascus, Aug 27 (SANA) Syria and Saudi Arabia signed two memorandums of understanding in Damascus on Thursday to strengthen cooperation in land transport, railways and logistics, with plans to develop transport networks and facilitate trade between the two countries.
Syrian Minister of Transport Yarub Suleiman Badr and Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistics Services Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser signed the memorandums at the Four Seasons Hotel in Damascus.
The agreements cover capacity building, expertise sharing and studies aimed at rehabilitating Syria’s road and railway networks and stimulating transport and trade flows through Syria.
The signing followed coordination talks between Badr and Al-Jasser on strengthening cooperation in transport and logistics, developing bilateral trade and facilitating the movement of goods.
Speaking during the talks Thursday at the Four Seasons Hotel, Badr said the Saudi delegation’s visit comes as Syria is experiencing rapid developments in various fields and growth in its economic and trade sectors, opening broader prospects for cooperation and partnership between the two countries.
Badr highlighted steps taken by Saudi Arabia to facilitate visas for truck drivers, saying they would help ease the movement of goods between Syria and the Kingdom in both directions.
He said Syria seeks to strengthen cooperation with Saudi Arabia across transport and logistics, particularly in developing land transport and railway networks and benefiting from the Kingdom’s expertise and advanced experience.
Such cooperation could serve mutual interests and strengthen regional connectivity between the two countries and the wider region, Badr said.
Al-Jasser said Saudi Arabia is keen to strengthen cooperation and partnership with Syria and develop bilateral relations at the highest possible pace, including at the government and private-sector levels and through cooperation with international organizations and other relevant bodies.
He said such cooperation would strengthen the partnership and support development and reconstruction efforts in Syria.
Al-Jasser said the visit builds on bilateral cooperation, pointing to Saudi Arabia’s achievements, programs and projects across various sectors under its national vision.
He added that meetings between the two sides include discussions on ideas and experiences that could be exchanged and put to use, as well as agreements that could further broaden bilateral cooperation.
The Syrian side at the talks included Syria’s chargé d’affaires in Saudi Arabia Mohsen Mahbash, Deputy Minister of Transport for Land Transport Mohammad Rahhal and ministry officials.
The Saudi delegation included Saudi Arabia’s chargé d’affaires in Damascus Abdullah Saleh al-Harees, Deputy Minister of Transport and Logistics Services for Cooperation and Partnerships Mohammed ali Al-Bakri, and Director of Partnerships and Bilateral Relations with Arab and African Countries Ruqaya Ali al-Zumai.
On Aug. 18, Badr met Al-Harees to discuss strengthening transport cooperation, particularly in land transport and railways, and improving coordination between relevant authorities in both countries.
kA/RK
