Al-Shara meets with Japan's especial ME envoy

Syria's Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara received in Damascus Wednesday Japanese Special Envoy for the Peace Process in the Middle East Tatsuo Arima.

Talks during the meeting touched upon the latest developments in the region, particularly in the Palestinian lands and in Iraq.

Al-Shara stressed the necessity of the resumption of the peace process in the region in line with Madrid terms of reference, reiterating Syria's commitment to the realization of just and comprehensive peace.

He also stressed the importance of uniting international efforts to compel Israel to commit itself to the international resolutions and to peace requirements.

In a statement to press following the meeting, Arima said that he explained his government's stance towards the peace process, adding that stress was given to the importance of the resumption of the peace process provided that peace should be just and comprehensive because the absence of peace will be negatively reflected on the region as a whole. Arima described the talks with al-Shara as successful.