Syrian - Russian joint communique
Syria-Russia, Politics, 7/7/1999

At the conclusion of Syrian President Hafez al-Assad's visit to Moscow a joint communique was issued in Moscow on Tuesday. It reads: On top of a high-level Syrian delegation, President Hafez al-Assad paid a two-day official visit to Moscow (July 5 - 6), at the invitation of President Boris Yeltsin of Russia."

The two presidents expressed satisfaction over the march of bilateral relations of cooperation, stressing the importance of promoting them. They decided to expand economic and trade ties and intensify links in other domains.

Upon reviewing the international situation, the two presidents expressed their conviction that consolidating world security and stability requires revitalizing the role played by the UN and the Security Council in settling world and regional problems.

Both leaders refused the policy of hegemony and the use of force, calling for honoring the principle of equality among states and for establishing a "multi-polar order capable of maintaining peace, security and durable development."

The Russian president briefed the Syrian leader on Russia's efforts to change the course of the Kosovo crisis into a course of a political settlement, and the Syrian president in this respect valued the peaceful role played by Russia. The two presidents' viewpoints were identical on the intricate situation in the Balkans.

The two presidents discussed developments in different areas in the world, paying special attention to the Middle East, in light of the new atmospheres that emerged after the Israeli elections. They viewed the outcomes of the recent Israeli elections give a proper opportunity to make all constructive efforts to establish a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.

The two presidents asserted Russia's role as a cosponsor of the Middle East peace process, stressing the need to enhance the coordination of the Russian- Syrian efforts so as to make the peace process a success. They explained that establishing a genuine peace in the region requires the implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions 242, 338 and 425, and the land-for-peace formula to regain the entire occupied Syrian Golan Heights, south Lebanon and the restoration of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.

They stressed the unity of the Syrian and Lebanese tracks, expressing their conviction that the road to comprehensive peace in the Middle East requires the resumption of Syrian - Israeli talks from the point they stopped at.

In this regard, the Russian president praised Syria's pivotal role, led by President al-Assad, in finding a just and comprehensive solution in the Middle East.

The two presidents, moreover, asserted the importance of keeping the Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction, foremost among which are nuclear arms. The two presidents called for all countries of the region to join the Non-Proliferation Treaty and subjugate all nuclear installations in the region to the control system of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The two presidents expressed deep concern over the grave tension resulting from the situation over Iraq and the continuation of the suffering of the Iraqi people. The two presidents called for the lifting of the economic sanctions on Iraq in accordance with the UN Security Council's related resolutions.

They showed adherence to the integrity and security of the Iraqi territories, and voiced conviction that the destiny of Iraq should be determined by the people of Iraq.

Previous Stories:
  Russian sources and al-Assad's visit to Moscow   (7/6/1999)
  Al-Assad to hold official talks with Yeltsin today   (7/6/1999)
  On President al-Assad's visit to Moscow   (7/5/1999)

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