Syrian FM confers with former Austrian counterpart

Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa on Wednesday received former Austrian Foreign Minister Louis Mock, who is a member of the Austrian Parliament.

Talks dealt with conditions in the region, the stalemated Middle East peace process and bilateral relations between Syria and the European Union.

In statements to reporters in Damascus, the Austrian official expressed his country's and the EU's rejection of using military force to settle problems in the region. He asserted that his country rejects Israel's occupation of the Arab territories, including the occupied Golan Heights. He added that Austria has always supported the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the Madrid land-for-peace formula.

On the Turkish threats against Syria and the subsequent explosive situation in the region, the Austrian official said: "First of all one can notice that all the conditions required for the conflict to be settled peacefully do exist. The two sides are members in the International Organization. They have official possibilities to meet."

He added that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is an outstanding personality in the world saying, "I am sure his mediation will improve the possibility of reaching a non-military solution."

He said the EU Council of Ministers will take up the issue of mediation between Syria and Turkey if the efforts of President Mubarak are not fruitful or observed by both Syria and Turkey.

On Israel's obstruction of talks with the Palestinians, the Austrian official said: "I must confess here that Syria's attitude on the talks between Israel and the Palestinians has been justified by experience. The government of Israel changed and the Oslo agreement was no more than a piece of paper and not a real agreement obliging the Palestinians and the new Israeli government led by Netanyahu."