Ljubcica Nikola, the Yugoslavian Minister of Defence, arrived in Damascus on Monday (12 January) as the guest of the Syrian Minister of Defence, General Tlas.

The two men plan to have talks on closer cooperation between their countries' armed forces.

Mr. Nikola was met at the airport by General Tlas who is also the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Syrian Armed Forces.

The Yugoslavian Minister released a statement on his arrival which said that he hopes to acquaint himself with the achievements of Syria in the military field, and the effects of the Middle East October War on the country.

He added that Yugoslav will continue in its efforts to develop and consolidate the friendly relations between the two countries.

SYNOPSIS: Damascus airport - where the Syrian Defence Minister, General Mustafa Tlas, met his Yugoslavian counterpart, Ljubcica Nikola, when he arrived from Belgrade on Monday. Mr. Nikola is leading a delegation which will have talks on closer cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries.

Mr. Nikola released a statement on his arrival which said the Minister hoped to acquaint himself with Syria's military achievements and the effects of the Middle East October War upon the country. He said that efforts for the development and consolidation of the friendly relations between the two countries will continue.

Syria's closest other military ally is Jordan. In August, 1975, the two countries signed a joint military agreement. The agreement set out plans to coordinate the armed forces of the two countries but fell short of an actual joint military command. Officials in Yugoslavia have sated that Mr. Nikola's visit is purely a routine one and that he may discuss the Lebanon situation during his stay.