President Bashar al-Assad discussed on Friday with French Prime Minister Francois Fillon the advanced levels of bilateral relations between Syria and France, particularly in political, economic and cultural fields.
The two sides discussed means for pushing these relations forward by following up on agreements that were signed and those that will be signed during Fillon's visit, which reflects the political will and mutual trust between the two countries.
President al-Assad affirmed that joint economic projects between the two countries must form the nucleus of a regional economic cooperation.
Talks also dealt with the political developments in the region, particularly in the occupied Palestinian lands, in addition to the stalled peace process, with President al-Assad reiterating Syria's principled stance calling for just and comprehensive peace based on carrying out international legitimacy resolutions, stressing that only peace can guarantee security and stability in the region.
President al-Assad said that peace requires true will, which Israel lacks, underlining the need for European countries to assume an active role to force Israel to commit to the requirements of peace. He also affirmed the importance of the Turkish role in the peace process and the importance of the French role to support it.
In turn, Fillon expressed his country's desire for bolstering bilateral relations between Syria and France and Syria's relations with the European Union, lauding Syria's pivotal stance in the region and affirming the need for continuing coordination between Syria and France, which will help find solutions to the region's problems.
The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem, Presidential Political and Media Advisor Dr. Bouthaina Shaaban, Minister of Communications and Technology and head of the honorary mission Imad Sabouni, Assistant Foreign Minister and head of the Department of Europe at the Foreign Ministry Abdulfattah Ammoura, Syrian Ambassador in France Lamia Shakkour, French Ambassador in Syria Eric Chevalier, and the delegation accompanying the French Prime Minister.
President al-Assad visited France in November 2009, and before that in July 2008, holding talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy on bolstering bilateral cooperation between the two countries in all fields.
President Sarkozy visited Syria in September 2008 and January 2009.
Syrian-French relations witnessed growing development through the mutual visits of officials from both countries, as French Minister for the Economy, Industry and Employment Christine Lagarde signed a number of cooperation agreements and memos of understanding covering various fields during her visit to Syria in December 2009.
