Norwegian foreign minister arrives in Damascus
Norwegian Foreign Minister Knut Vollebaek arrived in Damascus on Tuesday for a visit to the country.
At Damascus airport, he was welcomed by Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa, senior high-ranking Foreign Ministry officials and Norway's ambassador in Damascus.
In a statement to SANA's correspondent the Norwegian FM expressed happiness to be in Damascus. "I am eager to having talks with Mr al-Sharaa," he said.
He indicated to the talks held on Monday and Tuesday with the Israeli and Jordanian officials, saying that he had the impression that the Israelis want to continue implementing their obligations as regards the Middle East peace process.
For his part, al-Sharaa said that no change is made to Syrian stances which are based on the international resolutions, the Madrid terms of reference, the resumption of talks from the point where the Middle East peace process had suspended and abidance by what has been concluded during the past stage in order to reach the final objective of setting up a just and comprehensive Middle East peace.
On the hopes pinned on the coming visit of US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to the region, al-Sharaa said, "No doubt, the visit is important since the US is the main peace sponsor. It is important for the Syrian peace track in particular because the US had a pledge from Israel and Albright is aware of this pledge. Hence, we are optimistic about the visit if forthcoming contacts are made best use of. We are keen on resuming negotiations and are looking forward to achieving satisfactory results for both sides."
Later in the day a meeting was held between the two ministers attended by high-ranking officials representing the two sides.
Talks dealt with the situation in the region, the latest developments of the peace process as well as bilateral relations between Syria and Norway.
Earlier in the day, in Amman, King Abdullah II of Jordan received Norwegian Foreign Minister Knut Vollebaek. Talks dealt with the peace process in the region and the efforts being made to revive it on all tracks. Meanwhile, Jordanian Foreign Minister Abdul Illah al-Khatib met his Norwegian counterpart and members of the accompanying delegation.
The Jordanian minister explained Jordan's backing "for brothers in Syria and Lebanon," saying that talks on the Syrian and Lebanese tracks must be resumed from the point at which they were suspended to achieve a just and comprehensive peace in the region.
Following his talks with Jordanian and Israeli officials, the Norwegian foreign minister said he was optimistic about the resumption of the stalled Middle East peacemaking.
He added that he plans to return to Israel and the Palestinian self-rule area of Gaza on Wednesday to help in ongoing efforts to jumpstart stalled peace talks He denied that Norway is playing a mediator's role, saying that Oslo, as sponsor of the landmark 1993 Israeli - PLO peace accord, has a stake in the Middle East's stability and the implementation of the signed agreements.