Yeltsin reiterates strong ties with Syria as al-Sharaa met Arab ambassadors in Moscow
Syria-Russia, Politics, 2/19/1999

Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa and members of the accompanying delegation arrived in Damascus on Thursday in conclusion of his visit to Moscow during which he conveyed a message from President Hafez al-Assad to Russian President Boris Yeltsin.

Al-Sharaa met during his visit with high ranking officials in the Russian government and the Federal Russian parliament. In the day, al-Sharaa met with the Russian defense Minister Igor Sergiev. The two ministers exchanged views on conditions in the Middle East and bilateral relations between Syria and Russia.

On Wednesday night, the FM received Arab diplomats and heads of diplomatic missions accredited in the Russian capital. Discussions dealt with Arab conditions and developments on the international arena.

In this respect, al-Sharaa asserted the importance of revitalizing Arab solidarity to withstand current challenges. During his visit, al-Sharaa held a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart, Igor Ivanov, during which the two ministers asserted the positive atmosphere in which talks were held, in compliance with relations linking Syria and Russia.

Al-Sharaa expressed his satisfaction over the results of the talks which dealt with regional and international issues. He indicated the two countries' identical views towards all debated issues.

Meanwhile, President Hafez al-Assad on Thursday received a cable of congratulations from Russian President Boris Yeltsin on his reelection for a fifth constitutional term. Yeltsin said "Please accept my warmest and most sincere congratulations on the occasion of your reelection as President for the Syrian Arab Republic. I avail my self of this opportunity to express my confidence that traditional ties of friendship and cooperation between Russia and Syria will be strengthened and developed in the future in the interests of our two countries. I completely support the expansion of bilateral relations on all top levels and view Russian-Syrian active relations in the political field and other areas as means to preserve power balance and stability in the Middle East region."

Previous Stories:
  On al-Sharaa's visit to Moscow   (2/18/1999)
  Syrian Foreign Minister conveys a message from al-Assad to Yeltsin   (2/17/1999)
  On al-Sharaa's visit to Russia   (2/13/1999)

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