Damascus, The Serbian Embassy in Damascus held a reception on the occasion of the National Day of the Republic of Serbia, at Damascus-based Golden Mazzeh Hotel. Delivering a speech during the ceremony, Serbian Ambassador in Damascus Radovan Stojanovic described the relations between Syria and his country as deeply rooted and built on friendship, mutual support and solidarity since the official establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations in 1944. Following the catastrophic earthquake that struck Syria last February, the Serbian government immediately sent aid to the Syrians, through Damascus International Airport and the port of Lattakia, which is the best evidence of strong relations binding the two countries, Stojanovic said. Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ayman Raad, in turn, stressed Syria's keenness to develop its relations with friendly Serbia, as it has recently designated a new ambassador to Belgrade. Raad hailed the bilateral cooperation in the cultural and educational fields, which will be the cornerstone for improving relations in all other domains, including economic and commercial. Source: Syrian Arab News Agency