Message from al-Assad to Turkish counterpart

Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer on Tuesday received Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara who handed a message from President Bashar al-Assad on the latest developments in the region.

Talks during the meeting dealt with the latest developments in the region, particularly in Iraq and the Palestinian lands in addition to the existing friendship between Syria and Turkey.

Shara also held a round of discussion with his Turkish Counterpart Abdullah Gul where they reviewed the latest developments in Iraq under the current critical circumstances, and the importance of coordination between the two countries in the international conference on Iraq due in Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh on 22-23 of November.

Both sides stressed that the conference should come up with results that meet the Iraqi people's aspirations, particularly Iraq's unity, sovereignty, enabling the Iraqi people to run their own affairs as well as the withdrawal of foreign forces from the country.

On the situation in Palestine, the two sides expressed hope that the Palestinian people are able to preserve their national unity since it is the best means for ensuring their legitimate rights.

Shara and Gul expressed content over the developing relations between the two countries, asserting determination to boost them in all domains.

The meeting was attended by Assistant Foreign Minister Waleed al-Muaallem and Syria's Ambassador to Turkey Khaled Raad in addition to other senior officials at the Turkish Foreign Ministry. Al- Shara Left Ankara heading to Tehran after paying a short visit to Turkey.