Soeharto to expand relations with Syria<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia and Syria agreed yesterday to expand
\nbilateral ties beyond simply political support for one another by
\nmoving into economic and cultural fields.<\/p>\n
A series of agreements were signed yesterday by officials of
\nthe two countries, witnessed by President Soeharto and Syrian
\nPrime Minister Mahmoud Al-Zoubi.<\/p>\n
During a meeting earlier, Al-Zoubi assured Soeharto of Syria's
\nrecognition of East Timor's integration with Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\"Syria regards East Timor as an integral part of Indonesia,\"
\nMinister\/State Secretary Moerdiono quoted Al-Zoubi as telling
\nSoeharto.<\/p>\n
Soeharto had reiterated Indonesia's support for the struggle
\nof Arab nations to regain their territories now occupied by
\nIsrael, Moerdiono said, citing Syria's Golan Heights, Southern
\nLebanon and the West Bank as examples.<\/p>\n
The two leaders agreed to bolster trade and economic ties
\nbecause trade between Indonesia and Syria was still too small,
\nMoerdiono said.<\/p>\n
Five agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed
\nyesterday. They were for the promotion and protection of
\ninvestment, the avoidance of double taxation, the establishment
\nof bilateral consultation, cooperation on information and
\ncooperation in tourism.<\/p>\n
Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas signed for
\nIndonesia while Syria was represented by State Minister for
\nForeign Affairs Naser Kaddour, Minister of Finance Moh. Khaled
\nAl-Mahayni and Minister of Economy and External Trade Mohammad
\nAl-Imadi.<\/p>\n
Later in the day, another agreement was signed at the Ministry
\nof Foreign Affairs to regulate cultural exchange programs between
\nthe two countries for the next three years.<\/p>\n
The leaders also agreed to exchange visits of top government
\nofficials and private entrepreneurs, according to Moerdiono.<\/p>\n
Bank Indonesia Governor Soedradjad Djiwandono was planning to
\nsend a team to Damascus soon to discuss banking cooperation to
\nhelp finance bilateral trade, he said.<\/p>\n
Indonesian Ambassador to Syria Djamaris Suleman said that most
\nIndonesian companies were still reluctant to trade with Syria.
\n\"Even the National Agency for Promotion of Exports has not put
\nSyria in its priority list,\" Djamaris said.<\/p>\n
Al-Zoubi and Soeharto attended Friday prayers at the
\nBaiturrahim mosque inside the Presidential Palace compound.<\/p>\n
This morning, Al-Zoubi will travel to Bandung, West Java, to
\nvisit the plant of PT IPTN, the state aircraft manufacturer,
\nbefore proceeding to Bali where he will spend the weekend.<\/p>\n
He will fly back to Damascus on Monday. (06)<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/soeharto-to-expand-relations-with-syria-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }