UK determined to build solid relations with Syria

The British ambassador in Damascus, Basil Eastwood, stressed that negotiations on Syrian-European partnership agreements opened during the British presidency of the European Union will consolidate a technical framework for the partnership between Syria and the EU.

This will be as an integral part of Barcelona process which will set up a network of such partnerships throughput the Mediterranean. In a press conference held at the Embassy Club, on the occasion of the visit of two British warships to the Syrian port of Lattakia on July 17 to 21, the ambassador added that this visit embodies "our determination to build solid relations between Syria and the UK."

Eastwood expressed hopes that the visit of the British naval ship Marlboro and the supply ship of the British royal fleets Fort Victoria to Lattakia would lead to organizing several practical joint activities with the Syrian marines. For his part the chief logistics officer on the Marlboro said that this visit, which is considered the first by a British warship to Syria in 48 years, would strengthen ties of friendship between the two peoples and help in finding a basis for cooperation between the British and Syrian marines.

He said all citizens and journalists are permitted to visit the two ships during their presence at the port of Lattakia.