Syrian FM holds talks with Danish FM; a press conference
Syria-Denmark, Politics, 2/25/2004

Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara on Tuesday said that ending the Israeli occupation of the occupied territories is the basis for the success of any proposals related to the region referring to the role the European Union might play vis-a-vis the region's issues.

During an official talks session held on Tuesday at the Foreign Ministry's premises between the Syrian and Danish sides chaired by Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara and Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moller, both sides reviewed the latest developments in the region.

Moller, for his part, presented the European proposals being tackled, stressing that Syria and the Arab states are concerned with these proposals and can give their opinions regarding this issue.

Concerning Iraq, Shara renewed Syria's support to the efforts exerted for ending the occupation, restoring Iraq's sovereignty and preserving its territorial integrity.

Talks also tackled bilateral ties and means of enhancing them. Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara and his Danish counterpart Per Stig Moller on Tuesday, held a joint press conference.

Al-Shara stressed that Moller's visit to Syria carries important signs of Denmark interest in the situation of the region and the bilateral relations with Syria.

For his part, Moller described his meeting with President Bashar al-Assad as useful, fruitful and successful, asserting that viewpoints were exchanged on the regional and international issues.

He expressed pleasure over the talks held with al-Shara, describing President al-Assad's initiative to resume the negotiations as good. He also referred to the progressed relation between Syria and Denmark on the one hand and Syria and the EU on the other, expressing hope the Syrian-European Association will be signed as soon as possible.

Moeller stressed that the "roadmap" might be an overall framework of peace including the Syrian - Israeli track, adding that violence acts, violence reactions should be halted and negotiations should be started.

Answering a question about the role of Denmark and the European Union regarding the peace process in the region, al-Shara stressed that Syria welcomes EU's role, Europeans have an important role based on the international resolutions and "Madrid terms of reference".

He added that the comprehensive peace has attracted Syria's and Denmark's interest, pointing out that the signed agreements were peaceful ones but, they don't deeply change the situation.

Answering a question about the initiatives of development and reform in the Middle East, al-Shara said that these concepts are in their beginnings and they are not ripe, expressing hope these concepts set off from good intentions and mutual trust among Arabs, Europeans and the West in general.

He stressed Syria's wish for a dialogue that leads to a wider cooperation in the future, adding the most important thing for any side is not to impose its concepts and conditions on the other.

"Any cooperation among Arabs, Europeans and the West should take into consideration the Israeli occupation of Arab lands, because any project that ignores this issue will lead to block it," Shara said.

About the relations between USA and Syria, Moller said that it is important For USA and Syria to hold talks in order to reach an understanding between both sides, stressing the good ties between Denmark and EU from one side, and Syria from another.

About the Partnership Association between Syria and EU, al-Shara expressed hope the agreement will be soon signed denying the existence of any big problem.

Previous Stories:
  Danish prime minister visits Syria today, then Israel   (2/24/2004)
  Expatriate minister confers with Danish parliamentary delegation   (11/3/2003)
  Danish FM: Syria is a central player in regional issues   (5/20/2003)

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