Vajpayee in Syria: We have been calling for peace based on UN resolutions

India's prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee expressed thanks to president Bashar al-Assad for the hospitality awarded to him.

He underlined that Syria and India are looking for achieving similar purposes in the national development and modernization.

He said that the similar viewpoints give an opportunity for forming a contemporary relation for the present and future through inspiration from the past.

"Syria and India are worried over the exploded situation in this region and we welcome any efforts exerted to find a permanent solution to the old problems in the Middle East region," Vajpayee stressed.

"We have been calling for comprehensive peace based on the complete implementation of the international United Nations Security Council resolutions number 242, 338, 1397, 497 and 'land for peace formula'." Vajpayee added.

The Prime Minister underlined that agreements and programs signed between the two countries showed readiness of the two sides for developing new fields of cooperation for investing capabilities prepared by the new economic environment.

He added that "now we can move for finding permanent partnership in identified domains which complete each others like infrastructure and exploration of energy and services."

He pointed out that the presence of Indian oil companies in Syria and establishment of tangible symbols for the Syrian-Indian partnership in fields of biotechnology and in information technology are indication in the right direction.

Vajpayee underlined the necessity for cordial meetings and consultations between the two countries and directed an invitation to President Bashar al-Assad to visit India in the near future.