President Bashar Assad on Monday received Archbishop of Nova Justiniana and All Cyprus Chrysostomos II and the accompanying delegation, SANA reported.

President Bashar Assad on Monday received Archbishop of Nova Justiniana and All Cyprus Chrysostomos II and the accompanying delegation, SANA reported.

Talks during the meeting touched on the situation in Syria and the unique historical relations between the two countries and the importance of developing them in all fields.

Archbishop Chrysostomos II stressed the importance of strengthening his country’s relations with Syria which would benefit the two countries’ people, noting that it’s in the interest of all European states to reconsider their relations with Syria and lift the unjust embargo which exasperates the Syrians’ suffering.

He also said that the steadfastness and commitment to the homeland he and the accompanying delegation witnessed during their visit prove that Syrians are moving confidently towards emerging from the crisis and achieving victory over terrorism.

For his part, President al-Assad said that one of the main goals of the unprecedented terrorist attack on Syria is to spread extremist Takfiri mentality and practices to undermine Syria’s diverse and harmonious social fabric which has been one of its distinguishing qualities throughout its history.

His Excellency also stressed that the difficult experience that the Syrian people are going through increased their commitment to their diversity and unity.

The meeting was attended by Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All East John X Yazigi.