President: UN resolutions implementation only way to solve problems
Syria-Greece, Politics, 2/4/2002

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad stressed on Saturday that there is one way to solve the problems in the Middle East which lies in the implementation of the U.N. Security Council resolutions.

The President added in his joint press conference with President Constantinos Stephanopoulos of Greece that Syria will make use of its membership at the Security Council to promote the implementation of all U.N. resolutions.

We discussed the strong Syrian-Greek relations, as well as Arab issues. The talks were extremely positive. Relations between the two countries date back to cooperation which has existed between the two ancient Arab and Greek civilizations. In our talks, we discussed several issues of concern for the two countries. We also discussed bilateral relations in all fields, including the issue of developing transportation, tourism and cooperation in the scientific and academic fields. This is in addition to the necessity of developing agreements signed between the two countries. We discussed many issues, especially those which open the doors for investment between both countries.

We discussed political issues, first and foremost the issue of terrorism. There was harmony in our positions towards this issue, particularly on differentiating between terrorism and national liberation. We also stressed the necessity of defining terrorism through a conference sponsored by the UN. We agreed on the importance of the role of countries of civilizations in this regard, stressing the necessity of differentiating between resistance and terrorism. Such a thing is defined by and well-known to all world countries, but there are some parties trying to ignore it.

We agreed on the necessity of implementing UN resolutions to solve different issues, whether those which concern Greece, or issues of concern for Syria and the Arab nation, namely the issues of Cyprus, the Golan, Palestine and Lebanon. We agreed on the necessity of implementing them in order to establish peace in the whole Middle East and all places of tension in the world.

We listened to President Constantinos Stephanopoulos views on the Cypriot problem, and we confirmed Syrias desire establish peace in the Golan, and the necessity of the commitment of all countries to international resolutions. We held yesterday a round of talks and we will continue our talks today.

For his part, President Stephanopoulos thanked President al-Assad for the great hospitality accorded to him. The aspects of friendship between us were crystal clear, especially when there is not any problem between Syria and Greece, he added. We hence concentrated on economic affairs and agreed on a number of issues in terms of common understanding. We also agreed on the importance of overcoming formalities that impede a progress, especially in the prices of transportation with a view to reaching a good solution to issues of interest to both sides.

He said the agreements we signed will lead to the consolidation of ties and to a prosperity. A special attention was accorded to re-operate the naval route between Tartous and Greece. The Transport Minister has explained all points that contribute to the possibility of re-operating the rout. President Bashar proposed the idea of establishing an academic cooperation between Syria and Greece. We support every step to set up such kind of cooperation.

We also discussed the possibility of setting up oil and gas pipelines between the countries.

We moreover hold talks on political issues, especially the question of terrorism which must not be associated with resistance activities. President Bashar made an explanation that such acts are not connected with Hizbollah operations.

I explained to the President the cause of Cyprus and I thank Syrias support for settling this cause, especially in line with provisions of the international laws. The President underlined the necessity of settling all issues on the basis of UN resolutions and dialogue.

In answering a question on how Syria will use its membership in the UN Security Council to ease tension in the Middle East, the President said there is only one solution that is the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions to solve problems in the different parts of the world. There are many resolutions which are not implemented, due to the non-possibility of implementing them or for other reasons. Our country tries to implement these resolutions, whether those relating to the Middle East or Cyprus.

On distributing water of Euphrates and how Syria sees the possibility of f acing this problem, the President said there are UN and Security Council resolutions for solving all problems. we are committed to the international law, in addition to direct negotiations between Syria and Turkey. We think that it is in the interest of Syria and Turkey to solve this issue in a way that realizes the interest of the two parties.

Concerning the possibility of consolidating relations between the two friendly countries, particularly in the economic field, President Stephanopolos said his country would work for developing historical relations existing between the two countries.

The friendship between Syria and Greece, he added, is firm and stable. Our relations have always been cordial and these relations are confirmed anew today.

On this occasion, allow me to invite President Bashar al-Assad to visit Greece in order to complete our march in support of relations and cooperation between our two countries.

As for the economic issues between our two countries, we will concentrate on these issues and on the economic relations.

This matter is not restricted to expressing hope for a peacful solution in the Middle east, but there are the visits being made by the European delegation to the region. There are also contacts between the European states on the highest levels for finding ways to solve the problems of the region and for finding a just solution in the Middle East.

Greece does not only support this policy but also hopes that the European countries reach a joint line on how to deal with the foreign policy so that their role be more effective in finding suitable solutions.

On the possibility of European role to achieve peace, the Greek President said: Europe has issued a statement on the importance of finding a just solution to the Middle East problem.

Previous Stories:
  Greek President visits Syria today   (2/2/2002)
  Al-Assad confers with Greek foreign minister   (10/15/2001)
  Stressing the importance of European- Syrian relations, Papandreau visits Damascus tomorrow   (10/13/2001)

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