Malaysia–Syria relations

Malaysia–Syria relations

Malaysia
Syria

Malaysia–Syria relations are foreign relations between Malaysia and Syria.

History

The Federation of Malaya[1] and Syria established diplomatic relations in 1958. Syria established her embassy at Kuala Lumpur in 2001, while Malaysia established her embassy at Damascus in 2002. President Bashar al-Assad visited Malaysia in 2003, with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong visiting Syria in the same year.[2][3][4][5]

In 2005, Syria's relations with the west weakened after it suffered a series of economic and political sanctions, such as the US recalling her ambassador. This saw Syria respond with an increased focus on developing ties both with their existing allies Iran and Russia, and with eastern nations, especially China, India and Malaysia. As a fellow nation where most of the population is Muslim, Malaysia has been a particular beneficiary of these efforts. Some Syrian elites have begun sending their children to learn English in Malaysia, rather than traditional destinations in the west.[3][4][5] While relations between Syria and the West partially improved from about 2006, and especially after the Bush administration was succeeded by President Obama's, Syria has continued to further develop ties with Malaysia. Efforts to increase trade between the two countries included a 2007 visit to Syria by Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi, and the signing of several agreements in 2009 relating to air travel and the SME sector. The Syrian-Malaysian Business Council was established in February 2011 to help further develop trade between the two countries.[5][6]

Notes and references

  1. ↑ Malaysia did not come into existence until 1963.
  2. ↑ "Official Website of Embassy of Malaysia, Damascus". Malaysian embassy in Syria. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
  3. 1 2 "MALAYSIA-SYRIA RELATIONS CONTINUE TO GROW.". Asia Africa Intelligence Wire. AccessMyLibrary. 22 January 2010. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  4. 1 2 Mona Yacoubian and Scott B. Lasensky (2008). "1". Dealing with Damascus. Council on Foreign Relations Press. ISBN 0-87609-408-6.
  5. 1 2 3 Sami Moubayed (22 January 2010). "Syria turns its attention east". Asia Times Online. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
  6. ↑ "Syria, Malaysia Launch Business Council". Global Arab Network. 2 February 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
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