DPM Dar, Syrian FM Al-Shaibani hold talks on bilateral ties, regional issues

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani called on Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar in Islamabad on Thursday, where they discussed bilateral ties and regional developments.

DPM Dar received FM Al-Shaibani at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where the two held a warm and constructive restricted meeting, the Foreign Office said in a statement.

The two foreign ministers reaffirmed the deep-rooted brotherly ties between Islamabad and Damascus and discussed ways to further advance cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

The restricted meeting will be followed by delegation-level talks, where the two sides will review the entire spectrum of Pakistan-Syria bilateral relations and explore avenues for further strengthening cooperation.

The delegation-level discussions will also cover regional developments, with both sides expected to exchange views on the evolving situation in the region.

According to the FO, FM Al-Shaibani’s visit marks the first foreign minister-level engagement between Pakistan and Syria in nearly two decades.

FM Al-Shaibani arrived in Islamabad late Wednesday on an official visit to Pakistan at the invitation of DPM Dar. He is accompanied by a high-level official delegation.

The visit is taking place from August 19 to 20 and is aimed at further strengthening Pakistan-Syria relations and advancing cooperation between the two countries.

The FO had earlier said the visit would provide an opportunity for the two sides to hold in-depth discussions on bilateral relations, explore avenues for enhanced cooperation and exchange views on regional and international developments.