The meeting of President Bashar al-Assad with Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger on Saturday dealt with bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and the development they are witnessing following reciprocal visits by a number of officials from both countries, particularly the recent visit to Syria by Austrian Chancellor Werner Fyamann.
Spindelegger stressed his country's aspiration to enhance the relations with Syria in all fields.
President al-Assad and Spindelegger reviewed the situation in the region, particularly the stalled peace process, where Spindelegger expressed his country and EU's care for supporting all efforts which contribute in resuming the peace negotiations and realizing stability in the region.
In turn, President al-Assad reiterated Syria's stance calling for the achievement of just and comprehensive peace, calling on Europe to continue its objective role by supporting the Turkish role. Talks also dealt with the issue of the Syrian-European Association Agreement and necessity of eliminating obstacles facing the signing of it in a way that ensures the two sides' interests.
Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem, Presidential Political and Media Advisor Bouthaina Shaaban, Assistant Foreign Minister Abdel Fattah Ammoura, Syria's Ambassador to Austria Bassam al-Sabbagh, the Director of Europe Department at the Syrian Foreign Ministry and the accompanying delegation of Spindelegger attended the meeting.
In this framework, Speaker of the People's Assembly Mahmoud al-Abrash reviewed with Spindelegger and the accompanying delegation the role of the parliamentarians in both countries in consolidating Syrian-Austrian relations in all domains.
The meeting was attended by the Syrian ambassador to Austria, the Director of Europe Department at the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Austrian Ambassador in Damascus.
Later, al-Moallem met his Austrian counterpart in the presence of Mr. Ammoura, the Syrian Ambassador to Austria and the Directors of Foreign Media and Europe Departments at the Syrian Foreign Ministry.
In a joint press conference with Minister al-Moallem, Spindelegger described his talks with Syrian officials as a step forward due to the fact that both sides have strong historical ties and agree on the goal of achieving peace that would realize prosperity and stability in the Middle East, pointing out to Syria's key role in the region.
For his part, Minister al-Moallem described the talks of the Austrian Minister with President al-Assad as "constructive talks that focused on bilateral relations and the current situation in the Middle East as well as the future of the peace process."
Answering a question on Syria's vision on the European and American role in supporting the Turkish mediator in the indirect talks between Syria and Israel, al-Moallem said "All of the foreign ministers or official delegations who have visited Syria including Senator George Mitchell clarified through the discussions that they support Turkey's constructive role for resuming the indirect peace talks between Syria and Israel."
He pointed out that this is considered an indicator of the international community's appreciation of the Turkish role and its approval to start the indirect talks from the point at which they stooped which clearly indicates Syria's seriousness in reaching direct talks that would lead to a peace agreement between the two sides.
Al-Moallem added" Talking about resuming peace talks without preconditions is unacceptable because the issue of the Golan is not a precondition, but it is one of Syria's rights and it is inalienable right."
Answering a question on the Syrian-American relations, particularly after appointing a new US ambassador in Damascus, al-Moallem said" Our dialogue with the US administration was ongoing all over the last year, but during William Burns' visit there was an American vision on starting to build and normalize these relations…We agreed on this vision and practical steps will be taken by both sides."
Al-Moallem expressed his belief that normalizing Syrian-American relations is a very important issue to lay the foundation for the day on which direct negotiations with Israel would be reached.
He added that both sides have started to work on developing these relations, saying "we hope to see a true development in these relations... Form our part, we will do our duty."
Answering a question on whether Syria has a nuclear program, al-Moallem said "Syria doesn't have a military nuclear program, but it uses the nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, particularly in the field of nuclear medicine and this activity is done under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)."
He added "We are committed to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the Safeguards Agreement signed between Syria and the IAEA…We allow the inspectors according to this agreement to come and watch the activities done in this regard."
He went on to say "As for the IAEA other demands that don't come in the framework of the Safeguards Agreement, we don't allow going beyond the Safeguards Agreement, consequently we are not obliged to open our other sites to inspectors… Our activity is peaceful contrary to what Israel possess, and our activity is supervised by the IAEA."
Concerning assassination of senior Hamas leader Mahmoud al-Mabhouh and the Arab reactions towards that, Minister al-Moallem said, "We, in Syria, condemn these acts and consider them a violation of the sovereignty of the countries in which they take place."
The Minister added " al-Mabhouh was buried in Syria, and we, just like other countries are watching and following the reactions of the concerned countries whose passports were used for carrying out this operation. Here we ask a question: What if the families of the victims used fake passports of these countries as a reaction? What are they going to do? These acts strain the atmosphere and do not create a suitable environment for peace-making."
On Syria's stance towards Iraq and the forthcoming Iraqi elections, Minister al-Moallem said "Our stance is clear and stated. We support Iraq's unity, independence, stability, security and national reconciliation,"
The Minister added: "The elections are a domestic issue and we hope that they would form a valid ground for the success of the political process represented through national reconciliation between the segments of the Iraqi people."
As for U.S. stance towards Iraq, al-Moallem said "US shares us our stance and it encourages each step leading to security and stability in Iraq" adding "We encourage the implementation of what US vowed to do regarding the withdrawal from Iraq."
On whether developing Syrian-American relations require weakening Syrian -Iranian ties, al-Moallem said: "Syrian-American relationship does not include a third party and Syria establishes relations with all countries of the world serving its people's interests and doesn't accept any conditions from anyone that restrict its foreign relations as Syria does not impose any conditions on others to limit their relations with parties that we consider opponents to Syria…we want to build on these relations to achieve peace, security and stability in the region."
On the Western threats of imposing sanctions on Iran, al-Moallem said, ''Syria does not believe that sanctions could lead to resolving the standing dispute between Iran and the West. On the contrary, sanctions will complicate the chances for constructive dialogue between Iran and the West.''
He added Syria is still working for a constructive dialogue between Iran and the West that leads to a peaceful settlement of this file.
''This dialogue must be based on two principles: The first is Iran's right to peaceful use of nuclear energy, and the second is the others' right, mainly the countries of the region, to have faith that Iran has no military nuclear energy program.
For his part, the Austrian minister said he is happy to be in Syria and listen to the Syrian officials' viewpoints on the peace process, adding, ''We are on the same page concerning the aim that the Middle East must enjoy peace that brings stability and prosperity to the region.''
''During our meeting, we focused on the Middle East issue and the method Syria prefers to pursue towards the peace process…We also discussed cooperation with the IAEA and focused on the Association Agreement between Syria and the EU. I informed Minister al-Moallem that we want to support Syria vis-à-vis these issues in order to build good relations with the EU and achieve peace in the Middle East,'' he added.
On whether he carries Israeli messages to Syria, the Austrian minister said, ''During my tour I visited four countries, and I believe that it would have been useful to have obtained information.
''We discussed the peace process at length and the way to launch a new initiative to resume it… I realize that Syria is one of the key players in the region, so we focused on creating atmosphere that is favorable to achieving peace,'' he said.
In reply to a question on Austria's reaction concerning the assassination of al-Mabhouh in the light of reports that Austrian mobile phones were used, he said, ''There is no cooperation with Austria in any way, and according to our information that Austrian mobile 'sim cards' were used, we are trying to obtain information. But I want to make it clear that anyone can buy Austrian mobile phone 'sim cards' from any shop in Austria without prior license,''
He added that this issue is to be discussed in Brussels on Monday during meeting of the EU Council of Ministers.
Concerning messages between the Israelis and Palestinians, the Austrian minister said, ''I informed Minister al-Moallem of the messages we received from both sides, but if the Palestinian and Israeli sides start talks, which we recommend, it would be the first step towards starting direct talks between them''.
On whether Austria will play an effective role in the EU to support the Turkish role in the indirect talks between Syria and Israel, he said, ''We are ready to play a supportive role at any moment. Our common aim is to move ahead and take a new step towards resuming the peace process,''
''I informed al-Moallem of our readiness to do our best to achieve that, and we will support Syria too, ''he added.
Commenting on a question to al-Moallem on the Syrian-Iranian ties and their relation with the Syrian-US ties, the Austrian minister said, ''I agree with Minister al-Moallem and we have been discussing this and exchanging viewpoints on it. We agreed to remain in touch and raise the subject during our forthcoming meeting''.
Earlier, President al-Assad, during his visit to Austria Last April, discussed with the Austrian President Heinz Fischer and Chancellor Werner Faymann prospects of the peace process in the region and ways to strengthen bilateral relations. President al-Assad also held talks with Faymann during his visit to Damascus last December on the Syrian-Austrian relations and the stages it passed.
