The UK is reestablishing diplomatic relations with Syria, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said during a visit to Damascus, APA reports citing TASS.
"The UK is reestablishing diplomatic relations because it is in our interests to support the new government to deliver their commitment to build a stable, more secure and prosperous future for all Syrians," Lammy said in a statement which is published on the website of the UK government.
As the statement notes, the Foreign Secretary’s visit to Syria marks first by a UK Minister in 14 years and renews the UK and Syria’s diplomatic relationship.
During the visit, he was received by the president of the Arab Republic for the transitional period, Ahmed al-Sharaa, and also met with his counterpart, Asaad al-Shaibani.
According to the Foreign Office statement, one of the central topics of Lammy's talks was "ensuring the destruction of chemical weapons" in Syria. For these purposes, London will allocate an additional 2 million pounds sterling ($2.7 million) to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. In addition, the UK will send another 94.5 million pounds ($130 million) for humanitarian aid to the republic. During the visit, Lammy also met with representatives of the civil defense forces (formerly the White Helmets NGO) and female businesspeople.
