Doha, November 02 (QNA) - Syria looks forward to strengthening media cooperation and partnership with the State of Qatar and benefiting from its accumulated expertise in developing Syria's media system and rebuilding its institutional and infrastructure foundations, in the lead-up to unlocking broader prospects for the interchange of expertise and the development of capabilities, HE Syrian Minister of Information Dr. Khaled Zaarour told Qatar News Agency in an interview.

The Syrian Minister added that his country is currently looking to capitalize on various media experiences around the globe, particularly those of brotherly nations, as part of its efforts to substantially advance the media sector and address the heavy legacy left by the former regime in this field.

Dr. Zaarour added that the State of Qatar has a significant media experience and a considerable presence and influence on both the regional and international stages. He noted that media cooperation between the two countries stems from a long-term strategic vision that is not confined to launching joint projects or temporary initiatives, but rather seeks to build deeply rooted bilateral relations that enable the exchange of expertise, the development of capabilities and the exploration of new areas for joint work.

He explained that avenues for cooperation remain in their formative stages, with efforts focused on professional familiarization, learning about different experiences and exchanging expertise, alongside exploring training opportunities and building partnerships, pointing out that joint media and drama production is one of the areas in which cooperation could further thrive.

HE Dr. Zaarour highlighted that Syrian drama is one of the foremost tributaries of the Arab cultural and creative landscape. He stressed the importance of shoring up this experience, strengthening its presence and drawing on it to build rock-solid partnerships with media enterprises in the State of Qatar.

In a related context, Dr. Zaarour noted that the escalation, tensions and intertwined conflicts playing out across the region have a direct fallout on the media theater and regional discourse, placing media enterprises before mounting responsibilities amid the growing number of parties involved in these conflicts and the widening scope of their repercussions.

He stressed the importance of powerful collaborative efforts among Arab media enterprises, ramping up joint initiatives and working to develop responsible and professional media discourse grounded in facts and reliable information, thereby helping preserve public awareness and social cohesion.

Dr. Zaarour added that media cooperation is no longer a supplementary option, but has become an imperative for substantially strengthening Arab media's ability to address challenges.

Syria, by dint of its position and role in the region, is committed to working with brotherly nations to build powerful media partnerships based on coordination, the exchange of expertise and respect for the distinctiveness of national experiences, Dr. Zaarour continued, reemphasizing that such partnerships would bolster the presence of Arab media and its ability to articulate the region's issues and the interests of its peoples.

Dr. Zaarour commended Qatar's media experience and the presence and influence it has established on both the regional and global stages, as well as its professional, technical and institutional advancement and its ability to keep abreast of rapidly evolving developments in media, technology and communications.

The Minister underlined that he aspires to consistent communication and cooperation between Qatari and Syrian media enterprises, to the advantage of both sides, in pursuit of sharing expertise, unlocking new prospects for joint work and strengthening Arab media's ability to keep up with the demands of the future. (QNA)