Syrian Culture Minister Mohammed Yassin Saleh and Lebanese Culture Minister Ghassan Salameh met in Beirut to expand the cultural partnership between the two countries. Their discussions included cross-border cultural projects and a comprehensive cooperation agreement.
The meeting at the Beirut National Library was held during the opening of the 67th Beirut Arab International Book Fair. Syria's chargé d'affaires in Lebanon, Iyad al-Hezzaz, also attended the meeting.
Joint projects in books and the arts
Saleh said relations between Syria and Lebanon and the ties between their two peoples should be rebuilt in line with the political framework established by the leaders and governments. He said the time was right for a partnership between the two countries.
The Syrian culture minister called for new channels of cooperation, particularly in publishing and books. Music, theatre, cinema, archaeology and museums were also among the areas for joint projects discussed at the meeting.
Saleh said the projects would extend across borders and aimed to establish a sustainable cultural system covering different areas of expertise. He also said the partnership between the two countries would rest on solid foundations suited to the needs of their peoples, and congratulated the fair on the opening of its 67th edition.
Saleh said Beirut had opened a space for freedom for Syrians and Lebanese, and accused the Assad regime in Syria of suppressing the voices of creative people.
Lebanon announces comprehensive agreement
Salameh said cooperation between Lebanon and Syria should be given a concrete dimension across different areas, including cultural industries, archaeology and general cultural activities.
The Lebanese culture minister said Arab culture brought the two countries together and that the Arabic-language book, music and film market was a shared market. Salameh said they needed to work together to contribute to the economic recovery of both countries.
Salameh also said the two countries needed effective economic growth and stronger cultural ties between their peoples. The Lebanese minister announced that a comprehensive cooperation agreement would be signed as part of these efforts.
Reciprocal visits after December 2024
After the Assad regime fell in Syria in December 2024, Beirut and Damascus saw reciprocal high-level visits.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani visited Lebanon at the beginning of July in one of the prominent visits during this period. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also visited Syria for the second time in May.
During that visit, following his first trip on April 14, 2025, Nawaf Salam discussed with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa strengthening bilateral relations, developing economic and trade cooperation, and regional and international developments.
After the visit, the Lebanese prime minister proposed at a government meeting the establishment of a joint higher committee between the two countries. Salam said Lebanon aimed to build good relations with Syria on the basis of common interests.
A Damascus sword for Prime Minister Salam
During the visit, Saleh was also received by Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam at the Government Palace in Beirut and presented Salam with a Damascus sword representing Damascus's historic sword-making tradition and Syria's craft heritage, known for its patterned steel. Saleh said the sword would be fittingly returned to its scabbard with pride after Syria's liberation. Salam, for his part, stressed the importance of basing relations between the two countries on mutual respect, sovereignty and independence.
