Damascus, Sept. 20 (SANA)Syrian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Marwan al-Halabi andAlgerian Ambassador to SyriaAbdelkader Qasmi al-Hassani discussed enhancing scientific cooperation and expanding mutual scholarships between the two countries during a meeting in Damascus on Sunday.

The Algerian ambassador presented an official memorandum offering40 scholarships to Syrian students, including 10 in medical specialties and 30 in other fields. He said Algerian universities welcomed Syrian students.

Al-Halabi said the ministry was preparing a comprehensive cooperation agreement that would pave the way for joint research programs and broader academic exchanges aimed at supporting universities in both countries and improving the quality of education.

He expressed the ministry’s readiness to sign a framework agreement to facilitate bilateral cooperation.

The Algerian ambassador welcomed the development of bilateral relations and stressed the impact of Syrian Foreign MinisterAsaad Hassan al-Shaibani’s visit to Algeria in June.

He said scientific cooperation with Syria was an extension of the two countries’ longstanding relations and expressed Algeria’s readiness to broaden academic cooperation.

Al-Shaibani discussed with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, on June 4, means of enhancing bilateral relations and expanding areas of cooperation.