Al-Assad talks with EU representatives over Association Agreement
Syria-European Union, Politics, 4/9/2004

Syria's President Bashar Al-Assad on Thursday held talks with Speaker of Belgium's House of Representatives, Herman De Croo, on recent developments in the Middle East and the Syria - EU association agreement.

"Discussions during the meeting with President al-Assad have dealt with the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories and Iraq, peace in the Middle East and the subject of terror," an official statement said.

It added that the Association agreement between Syria and the EU was also on the table of discussions as well as the stage that negotiations have reached.

When Foreign Minister Farouq al-Shara met De Croo; he reiterated the significant role the EU could play over the region issues.

Al-Shara stressed that any ideas or suggestions presented on reform in the region would not be dealt with in a serious way from the Arab states hadn't they included a just and comprehensive solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict and the Palestinian question.

The Foreign Ministry explained that talks have touched upon bilateral relations between Syria and each of Belgium and the European Union in addition to means of boosting them.

"Both sides hope to shortly to sign the Syrian-European association agreement that will give a strong push to ties between the two sides," it said.

For his part, Prime Minister Naji Otari emphasized in his meeting with De Croo and the accompanying delegation the depth and strength of mutual relations which link Syria and Belgium and the importance of upgrading them in domains of development, economy and parliament.

The process of development, reform and modernization which Syria is witnessing in all scopes was on the table of talks as well the new events in the regional arena and the need to exert efforts and offices to achieve the just and comprehensive peace in accordance to the international resolutions and principals.

Previous Stories:
  Al-Shara postpones his European tour   (4/1/2004)
  Syria highlights European Parliamentarians role in ME policy making   (3/19/2004)
  Al-Shara - Solana meet on ME developments   (3/4/2004)

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