Socialist members of the European parliament visit Damascus
Syria-European Union, Politics, 6/1/2000

The assistant secretary general of the Baath Arab Socialist party in Syria Abdullah al-Ahmar on Wednesday met with the delegation of the European parliament ' socialist members led by Enrique Baron Crespo.

The meeting was attended by the chairman of the Syrian people's assembly Arab and foreign affairs committee Shaker Aseed and the chairman of the EU delegation in Damascus March Perieni.

Talks dealt with relations between the Baath party and the socialist parties represented in the European parliament.

The two sides also reviewed conditions and developments in liberated South Lebanon and developments of the ME peace process.

Al-Ahmar, during the meeting stressed that the victory attained by Lebanon and its national resistance had proven that occupation and aggression do not last and that the victory attained by lebanon and its national resistance is a victory to Syria and the Arabs as a whole.

He explained that the realization of a just and comprehensive peace is linked to Israel's realization of the requirements of such a peace, foremost being its complete withdrawal from the occupied Arab territories in the Golan until June 4, 1967 border lines and from the Palestinian territories and ensuring the legitimate rights of the Palestinian Arab people.

Al-Ahmar underlined the role played by the EU in reviving the stalemated ME peace and in pushing Israel to abide by the basics of the peace process so as to achieve a just and comprehensive peace in the region.

Crespo, on the other hand expressed his appreciation for Syria's position and stressed the interest of the EU in the ME peace process and its success according to international legitimacy resolutions.

He stressed also the need of achieving peace in the Middle east for strengthening Euro-Mediterranean partnership relations and the supportive role played by the Mediterranean states in giving a push forward to this partnership.

He expressed the readiness of the socialist group to strengthen relations with the Baath party in Syria.

Later in the day, the Syrian Prime Minister Muhammad Mustafa Miro met with the EU parliamentary delegation led by Crespo.

Exiting cooperation relations between Syria and the European Union were discussed as well as possibilities to develop these relations in various political, cultural and economic fields for joint interests.

Crespo said that he felt together with his accompanying delegation " Syria's real intention to establish peace in the region." he said that returning back to June 4, 1967 border lines and the establishment of peace will keep the door open for the resumption of negotiations in other domains like waters and the environment.

Previous Stories:
  Masalha statements on peace process   (5/30/2000)
  Syrian government statement on future economic direction   (5/29/2000)
  Al-Shara discusses with Moratinos ME peace challenges   (5/19/2000)

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