-Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister Fayssal Mikdad discussed with Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Yan Mladek and the Czech Confederation of Industry and Transport bilateral relations and the possibility of the Czech Republic’s participation in the efforts to rebuild Syria.

Speaking to SANA reporter at the conclusion of his visit to the Czech Republic, Mikdad said that the positive outcomes of the visit will reflect positively on bilateral cooperation between the two countries and the reconstruction process in Syria.
Mikdad described the intensive talks he held with Czech officials as “successful”, stressing that the two sides have identical views regarding the war waged against Syria and the importance of lifting the unjust economic sanctions against it, as well as the economic, cultural and social cooperation between the two countries.

He said that all the Czech officials he met have expressed hope that peace and security will return to Syria so as to continue to play a pivotal role in the region.

Asked about a statement by a source at the Czech Foreign Ministry that Czech Foreign Minister Lubomir Zaoralek will send a message next week to the EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini in which he intends to brief her on the positive outcomes of this visit, Mikdad said: “There must be efforts exerted by certain groups within the EU such as the Visegrad Group given its notable stances regarding refugees, counter terrorism and free trade.”

Mikdad expected “more doors to be opened” between Syria and the EU, hailing Mogherini’s visit to the delegation of the Syrian Arab Republic to the intra-Syrian talks in Geneva and her wishes that the talks will bring an end to the crisis in Syria.

He said he is convinced that the visit of the EU Foreign Policy Chief came after high-profile consultations with EU officials.

Mikdad concluded a visit to the Czech Republic in which he held high-level talks with a number of Czech officials