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| Solana sez talks with Baby Assad are good and frank | |
| 2007-03-15 | |
"The EU considers Syria as very important country in the Euro-Med group and in the Arab world," Mr. Solana, concluding his visit to Syria, added during a press conference with Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem at Damascus International Airport. "During my tour in Beirut, Riyadh and Damascus, I felt an Arab consensus on a number of issues regarding peace process and Lebanon in addition to Iraq," Solana said, expressing hope that "Syria offers support to the initiatives concerning these issues". He underlined the importance of the peace process to be comprehensive, noting that the EU works on the restoration of the occupied territories to Syria through activating this process on all tracks. Mr. Solana referred to the importance of efforts Syria would exert in achieving stability in Iraq, adding that the latest conference held in Baghdad came in this context. He stressed the EU's support to the Arab peace initiative since it was launched in Beirut 2002, expressing hope the initiative will be part of the comprehensive solution in the region. Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem underlined that Mr. Solana's talks with President al-Assad, vice-President and with him were fruitful and constructive, renewing Syria's commitment to implement UN resolution 1701 and the necessity for UNIFEL forces to fulfill their duties in South Lebanon in a best manner. "We express Syria's appreciation of the role played by Mr. Solana in solving problems of the regionÂ…. We rely on the EU role to achieve a just and comprehensive peace in the region, praising the importance of this European neighbor through the Mediterranean and the Arab world," Foreign Minister said. "There are a number of agreement and disagreement points, but it is a beginning and we hope bilateral dialogue is going to continue in future to reach security and stability in the region," Mr. Moallem added. Commenting on what has been circulated in some Lebanese circles on Syria's relation to 'Fatah al-Islam', Foreign Minister reiterated that Syria strongly condemns any terrorist act that targets security and stability of Lebanon and the life of any Lebanese citizen. Minister Moallem denied any relation to allegations of weapons' smuggling from Syria to Lebanon. Concerning international court about Hariri assassination, the Minister said "we don't say that we stand against the court of the international feature. Anyway, we are waiting for the results of investigation with which we are fully cooperating." On Syria's provisions to open dialogue with the US, Minister Moallem clarified that what has been done in Baghdad was a beginning, saying "we hope the Americans see that solution in Iraq is not military, but it should be political." "Syria has no provisions to continue dialogue with Washington, but Syria only demands adherence to the rules of dialogue," Minister Moallem concluded. | |
| Posted by:Seafarious |