The Syrian Arab Republic
History
of Relations | Diplomatic Representation | Travel
Info | Health Requirements | Climate Info
| Currency Info | Trade Info | Visits
and Meetings | Agreements | Interest Groups/
Organisations
History of
Relations
An official Syrian delegation led by the Vice President,
Mr. Abdel-Halim Khaddam, visited South Africa in May 1994 to attend the inauguration
of President Mandela. Full diplomatic relations were established with Syria on
1 June 1994.
In 1998 Syria opened an Embassy in Pretoria presently headed
by Mr Ahmed Mansour. South Africa’s Ambassador to Egypt is accredited on a non-residential
basis to Syria, as there is no South African mission in Damascus.
Deputy
Minister Aziz Pahad, accompanied by a business delegation, visited Syria during
November 1999 with the objective of enhancing both political and economic relations.
The
Minister of Foreign Affairs attended the funeral of late President Bashar Al-Assad
during June 2000.
Diplomatic Representation
South
African Representation in Syria
H E Mr S E Byneveldt
Ambassador Extraordinary
and Plenipotentiary
South African
Embassy
Syrian Representation in South Africa
Chargé d'Affairs
Mr B Darwish
Embassy
of the Syrian Arab Republic
Travel
Info
Visa Requirements for South Africans
South Africans
can now obtain a visa for Syria at any Syrian Embassy worldwide.
* Travellers
with Israeli stamps in their passports will not be granted entry into Syria.
Health Requirements
There
are no health requirements for people visiting Syria for no more than a few weeks.
However there is a malaria risk between May and October but only chloroquin is
needed. Tetanus immunisation is recommended.
For further information go
to Travelers' Health.
Climate Info
Travellers
will experience hot and dry summers and fairly cold winters. Nights are generally
cool.
For up-to-date weather information click here
Currency Info
The monetary
unit used is the Syria Pound but US dollars are widely accepted. Excange rates
as on 17 January 2002: R1.00 = 3.76 Syrian Pound
For current exchange rates
click here
State
and Official Visits / Bilateral Meetings
No Information
Bilateral
Agreements
If you have any queries with regard to treaties please contact the Treaty Section at 012 351 0872/0851/0837.
Trade
Info
For current information on trade statistics between South Africa
and Syria, visit the web site of the Department
of Trade and Industry of South Africa
Interest
Groups and Information
No Information
