Al-Shara: the Roadmap should expand to include Syria and Lebanon
Syria-European Union, Politics, 5/28/2003

Syria's Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara on Monday addressed the European Mediterranean Partnership Foreign Ministers Conference.

Shara underlined that the indivisibility of the Euro-Mediterranean security necessitates putting an end to the threats resulting from the foreign occupation, usurpation of others lands by force and abstention from being committed to international legitimacy.

Al-Shara added that the explosive situation in the Middle East resulting from the absence of peace, the developments of the Iraqi issue and the continuation of the Israeli occupation of the Golan, and the occupied Arab territories, is a common challenge for all the partners and this requires the Israeli withdrawal from all the occupied Arab territories to the line of June 1967, and the withdrawal of the occupation troops from Iraq as soon as possible to enable the Iraqi people to enjoy their national sovereignty and elect its own government by its own free will.

He pointed out that the Israeli rejection of peace is hindering the establishment of a Euro- Mediterranean region that enjoy peace, stability and welfare.

He underlined Syria's commitment to the resumption of the peace talks from the point they were suspended.

He stressed that the peace talks are based on the resolutions of international legitimacy and the inseparability of the Syrian-Lebanese tracks.

Al-Shara pointed out that for peace to be comprehensive it should include disarming the region of mass destruction weapons including Israel, so that the region will be free of mass destruction weapons.

He underlined Syria's support to opening a dialogue among the cultures and civilizations.

He expressed hope that a Euro-Mediterranean area for free trade exchange will be established gradually in order to narrow the economic and scientific gap between the advanced and developing countries.

He expressed Syria's determination to conclude the Euro-Syrian partnership agreement soonest possible.

Earlier,Shara met with Austrian Foreign Minister on the sidelines of the conference and talks dealt with the topics of the agenda of the conference.

He also received at his residence his Tunisian counterpart. Talks during the meeting dealt with the topics which are scheduled to be discussed at the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership Conference. Both sides stressed the necessity for the Arab states to have common vision toward the partnership. The two sides also discussed the latest developments in Iraq and in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Previous Stories:
  Al-Assad confers with Solana   (5/16/2003)
  Solana has officially handed Syria over the roadmap   (5/16/2003)
  Al-Assad's interview with New York Times, the Washington Post   (5/13/2003)
  Al-Shara hold telephone talks with Papandreou, Palacio   (5/6/2003)

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