Al-Sharaa highlights Syrian - Egyptian coordination
Syria, Politics, 9/16/1999

Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa has said that coordination between Syria and Egypt is continuously needed. "But sometimes our brothers in Egypt preoccupy themselves with a normal thing and give it priority at a certain time, but this does not mean that coordination stops," al-Sharaa added.

In statements published on Wednesday by the Egyptian al-Ahram and al-Akhbar dailies following the conclusion of the meetings of the 112th session of the Arab League Council, the Syrian FM continued: "There are no relations between any two Arab countries which are stronger that those existing between Syria and Egypt, whether on the popular level or on the level of educated people and politicians."

Replying to a question on the news saying that the role of Egypt in mediating between Syria and Israel has been distanced, al-Sharaa said that the role of Egypt is "bigger than mediation." He commented: "Egypt is a great Arab country which supports the Arab rights, therefore, its (Egypt'd) role will not be marginal."

He denied any Arab mediation, wondering how any Arab state can play the role of mediator between Israel which is occupying "our" lands and an Arab country which is calling for regaining these lands. "Even our brothers in Jordan did not say that they are mediators."

Al- Sharaa continued, "Our Arab brothers hear Syria's point of view and present it to others (Israel). And this is also the case with our brothers in Egypt. We always consult each other on the summit level on the level of foreign ministers."

Replying to a question on a Jordanian - Syrian - Lebanese economic integration and whether this will be a nucleous for forming a political alliance in the future, al-Sharaa asserted Syria's backing for pan-Arab economic integration, or even amongst a number of Arab states which are interested in economic integration, saying, " This does not constitute any kind of axis," adding, "We were (Syria) not consulted on what has been proposed by some Jordanian officials, although the idea seems to be rightful and correct."

On whether there are Egyptian reservations towards such "economic integration," al-Sharaa said he will be "astonished if there were any Egyptian reservations, because we wish to have economic integration between Egypt and any other Arab country."

Al-Sharaa added that the whole of the world is now heading towards polarization within the context of globalization, "Therefore, how can we refuse or pronounce reservations on Arab integration?"

Previous Stories:
  On Syrian-Israeli negotiations   (9/15/1999)
  Al-Sharaa hails Egyptian - Syrian relations   (9/14/1999)
  Moussa, al-Sharaa deny tensions in relations between Egypt and Syria   (9/13/1999)

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