Al-Sharaa: Relations between Syria and Iran are strong
Syria-Iran, Politics, 5/14/1999

Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa on Thursday at the Damascus International Airport gave a statement to the Iranian TV team and press delegation accompanying President Khatami in his visit to Damascus. Al-Sharaa said the visit of the Iranian president to Syria and other Arab states is important, adding that the visit's agenda contains many topics to be discussed due to the fact that the relations linking the two countries are old and strong.

Al-Sharaa added that there are also fundamental issues of mutual concern, foremost being the Middle East peace process, the Arab - Israeli conflict and the role played by Arab and Islamic countries in liberating the occupied Arab lands and restoring the usurped rights as well as regional matters of interest to the two countries. These issues, the Syrian FM added, include "the issue of Iraq, the neighboring country for both Syria and Iran."

He continued what is of concern to "us is security in general and stability in the region, either in the Middle East or in the Gulf region."

The Syrian FM added that all matters of mutual concern will be on the agenda of negotiations between President Hafez al-Assad and the Iranian President Muhammad Khatami, "because relations between the two presidents are strong and relations between the two countries are old, therefore all issues will be debated in full."

Al-Sharaa continued, "We do highly appreciate the role played by Iran, especially in her capacity as chairperson of the Organization of the Islamic Conference. We do also appreciate Iran's role and efforts to unite the Islamic countries' stances in confrontation of various challenges hatched against the nation."

Al-Sharaa concluded by saying, "The question of the situation in the Middle East will be at the heart of talks between the two presidents."

Previous Stories:
  Khatami arrives today in Damascus, seven agreements signed   (5/13/1999)
  Syrian-Iranian permanent committee meets in Damascus   (5/13/1999)
  Syrian-Iranian committee meets in Damascus   (5/12/1999)

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