Czech official-highlights Syria's role in the Middle East

Head of the Foreign Relations Committee at the Czech Chamber of Deputies Vladimir Lastuvka described Syria as a very important country in the Middle East, saying he is looking forward to the meetings scheduled during his imminent visit to Damascus.

Lastuvka told SANA correspondent in Prague in a statement that it is very important to be briefed about the view point of the Syrian leadership over the latest developments in the Middle East.

He added that his talks in Damascus would also focus on how to further develop existing, long-established friendly relations between Syria and the Czech Republic.

Lastuvka expressed rejection of the American sanctions on Syria, describing the move as a message basically directed to the Americans and has to do with the failure of U.S. policy in Iraq.

The Czech legislator called on the international community to shoulder responsibility and intervene in a better way to find a solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict, stressing that the way out of this dangerous situation is by the establishment of a Palestinian independent state.