Al-Assad meets with British Baroness on developments
Syria-UK, Politics, 12/10/2003

The Minister at the British Foreign Office for the Middle East Affairs and Prime Minister's Envoy, Baroness Elizabeth Simons underlined that her talks with President Bashar al-Assad and Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara dealt with issues of mutual concern, bilateral cooperation, describing the talks as good and constructive.

Al-Assad received at al-Shaab Palace yesterday Baroness Simons. Simons conveyed a message from British Prime Minister Tony Blair to President Assad on the situation in Iraq and the bilateral relations between the two countries.

In a press conference held yesterday in Damascus, Simons praised the standing personal relations between President al-Assad and British prime minister Tony Blair, and the cooperation between the two governments.

"My country differs from the United States in the way of dealing with Syria, despite the strong relations between London and Washington," Simons added.

She referred that many British officials on top of which Foreign Minister, Jack Straw, are discussing with their American counterparts the issue of the relations with Syria.

Regarding Iraq, she pointed out that the two sides agreed that Syria has vital interests in the realization of peace and stability in Iraq, praising the standing cooperation between Syria and Britain regarding the situation in Iraq.

Concerning the Israeli construction of the separation wall in the West Bank, Simons stressed Britain's deep concern over the repercussions of the construction of this wall on the Palestinian lands, stressing that this procedure hinders the realization of a final settlement between the Israelis and the Palestinians.

Previous Stories:
  Shara-Simons exchange views on ME developments, Syria stances   (11/26/2003)
  British council director in Syria: efforts to enhance higher education; human resource development   (11/19/2003)
  British envoy describes talks with al-Assad as constructive   (11/12/2003)

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