Al-Shara confers with Moratinos, Iranian envoy
Syria-European Union, Politics, 3/10/2000

Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara on Thursday received the European Union's Middle East peace process coordinator, Miguel Angel Moratinos, and members of the accompanying delegation.

Talks dealt with conditions in the region and the role played by the EU in reviving the suspended Middle East peace process.

The two sides also reviewed Syria's relations with the EU and areas of bilateral cooperation.

Later in the day, al-Shara received the Iranian deputy foreign minister, Muhammad al-Sader.

Talks dealt with current conditions in the region under the repeated Israeli aggressions against Lebanon and the stalemate in the Middle East peace process.

Bilateral relations between the two countries and means of strengthening them in all fields were reviewed.

In statements to reporters following the meeting, Moratinos said that he had held on Thursday intensive talks with Foreign Minister al-Shara and that the EU is working to help the sides concerned resume the Middle East peace talks.

He continued, "I have visited Israel, Lebanon and Washington, and this is the proper time to come back to Damascus and to assure for all that the European Union is working intensively in order to facilitate the resumption of talks." He added that the priority for all is to reach a comprehensive agreement on all tracks.

He added, "We assert from Damascus that we are in need of a comprehensive agreement including Syria, Lebanon and Israel, and the priority comes from Israel's withdrawal from south Lebanon and the Golan."

Moratinos continued he will come back to Damascus after the end of the "vacations" and that he had discussed the thoughts and ideas he carried with al-Shara.

Previous Stories:
  Moratinos: Syrian- Israeli negotiations will start soon   (2/29/2000)
  Al-Shara confers with Raban, Moratinos on current ME conditions   (2/25/2000)
  Barak sends expert delegation to Washington   (1/22/2000)

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