Al-Shara reviews with Moratinos developments, Israel's policy

The Syrian foreign minister Farouk al-Shara on Sunday in Damascus received the EU ME peace process special envoy Miguel Moratinos and members of the accompanying delegation. The meeting was attended by the deputy foreign minister Siba Naser and the director of the west Europe departments at the Syrian foreign ministry Muhammad Ali al-Hamwi.

Discussions during the meeting dealt with current conditions in the region in light of the international developments and the aggressive policy pursued by Israel against the Palestinian citizens in the occupied territories.

Stress was laid o the need that the EU to play an active role to pressure Israel to force it abide by international legitimacy resolutions.

In a statement to pressmen following his meeting with al-Shara, Moratinos said:" we had very important talks with al-Shara dealt with the grave situation in the Palestinian territories."

He added that the Europeans are preoccupied in ending the suffering of the Palestinian people, noting that he and Solana will visit the Palestinian territories and Israel," to revitalize the implementation of the cease- fire and Israel and the Palestinians joining into political negotiations.

Moratinos added that discussions also dealt with international relations and events taking place in the US and Afghanistan and the call to revive peace efforts on the Syrian and Lebanese tracks.

Moratinos continued that talks also dealt with means of reviving the spirit of Barcelona and that Brussels meeting will be held in November with the participation of the Europeans, the Arabs and others in order to exchange views and stances concerning civilizations.

Moratinos was asked on the relations between Syria and the US and he said that relations between the two countries are good.

Replying to a question on whether Syria will be attending the Barcelona meeting, Moratinos said " I think so."