Syrian Foreign Minister conveys a message from al-Assad to Yeltsin
Syria-Russia, Politics, 2/17/1999

Russian Premier Yevgeny Primakov on Tuesday received Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa who handed him a message from President Hafez al-Assad to the Russian President Boris Yeltsin.

The Russian prime minister expressed deep respect and appreciation from President Yeltsin and Russia's leadership to President al-Assad and praised the close friendship and cooperation relations that link the peoples of the two friendly countries, Syria and Russia. He asked al-Sharaa to convey his greetings to President al-Assad on his reelection to a new term.

Talks dealt with the current situation in the Middle East and the halting of the peace process. Primakov stressed that, "Peace cannot be achieved in the region without Syria."

Highlighting bilateral ties, Primakov asserted the need to reactivate and develop relations between Syria and Russia in all fields. Al-Sharaa, for his part, noted the importance of increasing the momentum of the friendly ties between the two countries and deepening them in all domains. He also stressed the importance of revitalizing the role played by Russia as a sponsor of the Middle East peace process in order to achieve just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.

Earlier in the day, al-Sharaa arrived in Moscow for a two-day official visit to Russia.

In an arrival statement al-Sharaa told journalists that he carried a message from President al-Assad to the Russian president and leadership. The Syrian FM added that he would hold talks with his Russian counterpart, Igor Ivanov, on topics of interest to the two countries, regional and international issues, especially the deadlocked Middle East peace process, and the role played by Russia as one of the peace process' cosponsors, as well as Syria's desire for Russia to play a more active role.

Al-Sharaa added that he will be happy to meet with the Russian premier, noting the "old and amicable relations between him and the Syrian leadership." Al-Sharaa indicated that there will be other meetings with the chairman of the Russian side at the Syrian - Russian joint committee and also with the speaker of the Russian Duma.

The Syrian FM expressed his confidence and hope that all the meetings would be fruitful and constructive and serve the two friendly countries' interests.

For his part, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Victor Posovalyuk praised the strong relations linking the two countries, noting that Russia has great mutual interests with Syria and that there is a tremendous future and vast horizons for developing these relations.

Replying to a question about the US administration's threat to suspend financial aid to Russia if it sold weapons to Syria, Posovalyuk said that cooperation between the two countries is a bilateral subject, "Therefore, no other country has the right to interfere in this respect. Secondly, everybody knows that there are no international sanctions imposed on Syria to justify such US statements. Thirdly, we believe that all forms of cooperation between Syria and Russia do not harm, rather help to achieve stability and security in the Middle East region. Thus, we will continue all forms of cooperation with friendly Syria."

Previous Stories:
  On al-Sharaa's visit to Russia   (2/13/1999)
  Al-Sharaa to visit Moscow on February 16   (2/12/1999)
  Syrian - Russian military discussions   (2/4/1999)
  Syrian defense minister to visit Moscow to strengthen military cooperation   (1/27/1999)

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