Syrian President to start Eastern Europe tour

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is expected to visit Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine in the coming days. Assad, during his first visit to those Eastern European countries since he took office in 2000, intends to boost bilateral relations and discuss regional affairs.

Cypriot President Demetris Christofias held talks with Assad in Damascus in September and signed cooperation agreement, and Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borisov visited Damascus in April and discussed with Assad bilateral relation. Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Baconschi also visited Syria in September.