Syrian, Qatari FMs highlight the importance of al-Assad, Sheikh Hamad summit
Syria-Qatar, Politics, 3/21/2000

Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara on Monday evening described the summit meeting between Syrian President Hafez al-Assad and Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa al-Thani as one of the important Arab meetings, especially in the current conditions, "in which we all look at establishing Arab solidarity to enable the Arab nation restore back its rights and withstand the challenges of the deadlocked peace process."

In a press conference he held with his Qatari counterpart, al-Shara added, "We do hope to realize our interests and wishes in establishing a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East on the basis of the international legitimacy resolutions and the land-for-peace formula."

Replying to a question on his expectations from the coming meeting between Presidents Hafez al-Assad and US President Bill Clinton, al-Shara said, "Of course, this meeting is important. It derives its importance from the fact that the peace process on the Syrian and Lebanese tracks is stalled. We hope this summit will help resume the peace talks on the same bases on which they were held in Madrid conference and help continue discussing the same issues on which the Israeli government did not take a stand in Shepherdstown that could help the peace process move forward."

He continued that this meeting between Presidents Clinton and al-Assad will be an important opportunity to open vistas to discuss all the peace elements that could help establish a just and comprehensive peace, especially on the Syrian and Lebanese tracks, and hoping at the same time that talks will achieve their goals on all tracks.

Replying to another question about an Arab summit, the Syrian foreign minister said, "Such a summit is a vital and important demand for all Arab states." He added, "I do not believe that there is an Arab state which does not like the summit to be held, but there is a fear that the summit would not be up to the expectations. In such a case that fear turns into an understandable and reasonable matter. Preparations should not be a way to avoid holding a summit, but a reasonable demand to help make it a success and to achieve its goal."

For his part, Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad described the talks held between President al-Assad and the emir of Qatar as fruitful.

He added: "We in Qatar consider the peace process very important for us... for that we fully support the Syrian position. And this is what we have already announced and what the emir of Qatar said to his brother, President Hafez al-Assad."

Concerning Syrian- Qatari relations, Sheikh Hamad said that these relations are important, and Qatars expect a lot out of them.

Earlier in the day, al-Shara and Sheikh Hamad held a meeting on Monday evening at al-Chaab palace. Talks dealt with the Arab situation and the importance of Arab solidarity in facing developments in the region. The two ministers also discussed Middle East peace process developments.

Previous Stories:
  Emir of Qatar arrives today in Damascus   (3/20/2000)
  Ruler of Qatar prepares to visit Damascus   (3/10/2000)
  Report: Emir of Qatar to visit Syria   (2/28/2000)

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