Al-Shara's meetings talks in Ankara
Syria-Turkey, Politics, 1/15/2003

A session of talks was held in Ankara yesterday between Syria's Foreign Minister, Farouk al-Shara and his Turkish counterpart, Yasar Yakis with the attendance of delegations of the two sides.

The two ministers reviewed the latest developments in the region, the dangers which are threatening Iraq and the neighboring states in case of the US war against Iraq.

Viewpoints were identical regarding the necessity of using all peaceful means in this regard.

At the end of session, al-Shara and Yakis signed a protocol of cooperation and consultation between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries. The protocol stipulates developing friendly and cooperation relations between Syria and Turkey for realizing the regional and international security for the interests of Syrian and Turkish peoples through the continued political consultations regarding political conditions and issues of mutual concern. After talks, al-Shara and Yakis held a closed meeting for estimating results of the meeting and the joint conclusions regarding developments in the region.

Both Ministers agreed on persistence of consultation and exchange of opinions among officials of the two countries.

In a statement before departure, al-Shara expressed Syria's satisfaction over results of Turkish Prime Minister, Abdullah Gul's recent visit to Damascus, describing them as very close to stances of the two countries, particularly the necessity of finding a peaceful solution to the Iraqi crisis.

He underlined that he conveyed a message from President Bashar Al-Assad to his Turkish counterpart, Ahmet Necedet Cezer pertaining to the exchanged wish of cooperation between the two neighboring countries.

Regarding bilateral communications and consultation, al-Shara said that we are in a consultation stage among Damascus, Ankara and many other capitals in the region hoping that these communications would be fruitful.

Al-Shara stressed that war would be in the interest of no one and that any military attack against Iraq would push the region into the unknown on both political and economic levels.

Regarding pressure on the Iraqi government for the implementation of the Security Council resolution 1441, al-Shara indicated that pressure must be practiced on the U.S instead of Iraq to deter it from waging war pointing out the Iraqi commitment to the Security Council resolution adding that it is better to wait for the international inspectors report by the end of January.

For its part, Turkish media highlighted results of the Foreign Minister visit to Turkey and focused on al-Shara assertion that Syria's doors are open in front of the constructive and fruitful cooperation with Turkey in all fields and on the two countries aspired joint work for preventing an American war against Iraq.

Previous Stories:
  Turkish president meets with Syrian FM   (1/14/2003)
  Al-Shara grants comprehensive interview to Turkish TV outlining developments   (1/11/2003)
  Al-Shara to visit Ankara January 13, 15   (1/7/2003)

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