Syria and Russia upbeat talks result and settle debts issue
Syria-Russia, Politics, 1/26/2005

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Moscow said talks he held with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin were in a cordial atmosphere and announced the two countries have settled down debts problem.

"Talks are in a very cordial atmosphere and dealt with bilateral relations, international and regional issues of mutual interest and there is an agreement on boosting standing ties based on equity, respect and mutual confidence," in a statement to the press, President Assad said.

He announced that "we were capable of reaching a settlement over the pending problem of debts between Russia and Syria noting that this would push the economic ties forward.

The President also announced a number of accords have been signed mainly in the energy field in addition to some accords that will regulate these relations and pointing out that the issue of building the free trade zone was raised and will be studied in the future.

Talking about the Mideast peace process, President al-Assad said "we noted the stalemate on the peace process would passively be reflected on the region states and peoples and would lead to mounting violence and state of instability."

"There has been an assertion on the need of close cooperation to achieve the just and comprehensive peace that is based on Madrid reference and the two UN resolutions 242 and 338 and the other international relevant resolutions in addition to the 'land for peace formula' and the Arab peace initiative of Beirut Summit in 2002," the president said adding that talks also underlined the resumption of negotiations on the three tracks with no preconditions in a way that would lead to reach a just and comprehensive solution guranteeing Israel's full withdrawal from all the occupied lands in 1967 and the building of the Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.

President al-Assad said there was an emphasis on the need to make the Middle East free of Weapons of Mass Destruction while regarding Iraq, he noted there was a stress on its unity and the national identity together with support to the political process with the need of the Iraqis all spectrums participation in elections.

On the international level, President Assad said there were an underlining of the want to build a more democratic world and to cement the UN pivotal role in keeping international security and peace noting to the ought of making structural reforms to the UN.

"We expressed our denunciation of the terror and agreed to work together as to combat it and view points agreed to deal with this phenomena's roots and causes," the president concluded.

Meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin of Russia described his talks with President Bashar al-Assad as very important and of tangible outcomes.

"The talks resulted in signing a joint statement to continue deepening cooperation and friendship relations between the two countries in a way to give new strong move for cooperation and pave the way for new horizons to enhance economic and cultural relations between both countries," President Putin said in a joint press conference with President Assad following talks in Moscow.

He said that he discussed with President al-Assad boosting the economic and trade relations, adding that both countries have rich expertise for the joint work and the successful implementation of great projects, including energy, petroleum and gas exploration and transport roads.

President Putin expressed confidence that the Russian-Syrian Businessmen Council, established in the year 2004, will increase effectiveness of bilateral cooperation as well as building up new projects.

He also thanked Syria over its supportive stance to appoint Russia as a monitor at the Organization of Islamic Council.

Previous Stories:
  Al-Assad' s visit to Russia supports the economic relations   (1/25/2005)
  Syria is the most important partner for Russia in the Middle East: Russian spokesman   (1/25/2005)
  Al-Assad starts a four-day visit to Russia   (1/25/2005)

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