SYRIA: Greek President Karolos Papoulias holds talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad

Record ID: 279683

  • Title: SYRIA: Greek President Karolos Papoulias holds talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad
  • Date: 25th June 2009
  • Summary: DAMASCUS, SYRIA (JUNE 24, 2009) (REUTERS) SYRIAN PRESIDENT BASHAR AL-ASSAD AND HIS GREEK COUNTERPART KAROLOS PAPOULIAS ARRIVING TO REVIEW SYRIAN HONOUR GUARDS VARIOUS OF THE HONOUR GUARD VARIOUS OF ASSAD AND PAPOULIAS REVIEWING SYRIAN HONOUR GUARD PAPOULIAS SHAKING HANDS WITH SYRIAN VICE-PRESIDENT FAROUQ AL-SHARA ASSAD AND PAPOULIAS GREETING DELEGATION VARIOUS OF MEE
  • Embargoed: 10th July 2009 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA2LWDUC9792GZ6JNN33O09BP7H
  • Story Text: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Wednesday (June 24, 2009) there was still no Israeli partner in the peace process at the current time.
    "It is certain that fulfilling peace requires an Israeli partner that is committed to the international law and the related U.N. resolutions and the principle of peace in exchange for peace. This partner does not exist currently," Assad said in Damascus after meeting with his Greek counterpart Karolos Papoulias who said that the peace process in the Middle East should be based on U.N. resolutions.
    "Real peace in the region can not be fulfilled if all parties do not respect and agree on the Security Council resolution as well as returning the Golan heights to Syria," said Papoulias.
    Papoulias, who arrived on Wednesday in Damascus, discussed with Assad bilateral relations, the situation in the Middle East, issues related to Cyprus as well as Syria's relationship with the European Union.
    Papoulias said after the meeting: "Greece, considered as a member in the European Union, supports steadily the importance of improving the relations between the European Union and Syria and the signature, as soon as possible, on the association agreement."
    Syria and Greece have signed more than 30 agreements and protocols in the fields of tourism, technology, industry, services, transportation and communication.
    Assad's last visit to Greece was in 2003.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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