Syria looks to activate tourism to Armenia – minister

Despite the considerable decline in Syria’s tourism sector, the country is actively working to recover the sphere and looks to activate tourism links with friendly states, such as Armenia, the Syrian Minister of Tourism Beshr Yazji stated during a meeting on Monday with the Armenian delegation headed by Minister of Economic Development and Investments Suren Karayan.

As the Armenian ministry reported in a press statement, the parties concurred that favorable conditions are available to develop the tourism ties, pointing out to the operation of the Damascus-Yerevan direct flights.

The Chairwoman of Armenian Tourism Committee Zarmine Zeytuntsyan next presented the Armenian tourism sector, outlining the prospects for bilateral cooperation. During the meeting video clips featuring the Syrian tourism potential were screened for the guests.

Minister Karayan, who is on a working visit to Damascus, next held a meeting with Syria’s Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade Mohammad Samer al-Khalil to discuss a range of practical steps aimed at expanding the trade and economic ties between the two countries. The interlocutors exchanged views about Armenia’s possible involvement in Syria’s reconstruction projects.

The release next says Minister Karayan held meetings with the Bishop Armash Nalbandian, Primate of the Armenian Church of Damascus as well as he representatives of the Armenian community. During the meeting, the minister presented the results of his visit to the Syrian Arab Republic and initial arrangement to launch joint production enterprises as well as provide the members of the Syrian business community access launch production in Armenia and enter the EAEU and the EU markets.

The Armenian delegation headed by Minister Karayan held a meeting in Syrian Chamber of Commerce and Industry as well, the release said.