Al-Assad, Chirac hold talks at Elysee palace
Syria-France, Politics, 6/26/2001

In their talks held on Monday at Elysee palace President Bashar al-Assad and the French President Jacques Chirac bilateral issues of concern to the two countries, the situation in the region and regional issues and the French President stressed the strong relations between the two countries.

During the discussions, the Syrian President underlined the importance of co-ordination between Syria and France, noting the position France enjoys through the historical ties bringing about the two countries.

At 4 p.m. ( Damascus local time ) President al-Assad arrived in Paris in a state visit to the French republic that will last for three days.

At the airport President al-Assad was welcomed by the French minister of agriculture Jan Galavani and the Syrian ambassador to France Elias Najmah and other officials concerned.

At 6 p.m. ( Damascus local time), the President and his wife arrived at the Elysee palace where he was welcomed by President Chirac and the Arab ambassadors accredited in Paris.

Then, the two Presidents held a close door meeting during which talks dealt with bilateral issues of mutual concern, the situation in the region and other regional issues of mutual concern.

Then, a plenary session was held. It was attended, on the Syrian side, by vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam, the Foreign minister Farouk al-Shara and the Syrian ambassador in Paris Elias Najmah. On the French side the meeting was attended by the director of the middle east and north Africa affairs at the French foreign ministry and the French ambassador in Damascus.

The two Presidents discussed bilateral relations in depth and the French president stressed the solid relations between the two countries in various fields especially in the political, economic and cultural areas.

President al-Assad underlined the importance of co-ordination between Syria and France, and President Chirac noted the many reasons that push France towards boosting these bilateral relations. At the end of the meeting President Chirac Presented President al-Assad with the highest French order of merit( the highest medal in France) while President al-Assad presented President Chirac with a sculpture for the head of the Arab emperor ( Philip the Arabian ).

Then President Chirac and his wife held a dinner banquet in honor of President al-Assad and his wife to which were invited members of the official delegation accompanying the President: Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam, the Foreign minister Farouk al-Shara, the minister of the economy and foreign trade Muhammad al-Imadi, the minister of higher education and the minister of telecommunication. Also invited to the banquet were high ranking French officials and heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Paris.

Previous Stories:
  Al-Assad heads for Paris today   (6/25/2001)
  French paper and Syrian redeployment in Lebanon   (6/25/2001)
  On al-Assad's visit to France   (6/24/2001)

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