Summary: Summary remarks by EUHR Solana at the press conference with Syrian FM Muallem (14 March 2007: Damascus)
Summary of remarks by Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for CFSP, at the press conference with Mr. Walid MUALLEM, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Syria, Damascus
Javier Solana, EU High Representative for common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), met today in Damascus with President Bashar al Assad. The meeting, which included a long private discussion, took place after talks with vice president Farouk Al-Shaara, and the minister of Foreign Affairs, Walid Muallem. The visit of Mr Solana to Syria was the last stop of a tour to several Middle Eastern countries, that included Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.
"I have not been in Damascus for more than three years. As you know, before, I was a frequent visitor to this country, which is an important member of the Euro-Mediterranean family, an important member of the Arab world.
A number of reasons made my presence here not possible. The European Union and Syria have gone through a period in which they have had different positions on issues very relevant for the European interests and also for regional interests.
Today, I have had a long meeting with President Bashar al Assad, in a very frank atmosphere. We have talked about the way in which Europe can work with Syria in order to tackle the many problems that the region faces.
The situation we are going through allows to say a few things:
There is a growing consensus among the Arab countries on fundamental issues: the stabilisation of Lebanon, the Arab initiative to reach a comprehensive peace in the region, the relations of the Arab countries with Iraq and Iran.
I was on Monday in Lebanon and yesterday in Saudi Arabia. We want very much to see Syria supporting the developments that are now taking place, as the Europeans do. We think that they carry the hope of a better future.
I told the president that there is a clear opportunity and that we think that Syria should be a full part of this opportunity.
I also conveyed to the President in this good atmosphere that we would like to see from Syria maximum efforts to help implement fully UNSC Resolution 1701. It is fundamental to reach peace, stability and the independence of Lebanon. The resolution has to be implemented in its entirety. The EU is doing its part already with the deployment of thousands of peacekeepers in the South of Lebanon.
With the President we have also talked about the peace process in the region. We understand it in a comprehensive manner. We would like to work as much as possible to see your country recuperating the territories occupied in 1967. I would like to repeat, we look at the peace process in that way.
We discussed about how we can see Syria siding and staying with those who can contribute to the pacification of Iraq. We discussed the meeting that took place on Saturday in Baghdad. We look forward to future meetings of that nature. We also talked how we would like to see Syria engaging with the Arab countries and the international community in order to find a solution to the Iranian nuclear problem, in accordance with the United Nations and the IAEA.
As a closing remark, a word to the people of Syria. As I said I have been a frequent visitor to your country. I know it well. Still I have not seen many places I would like to see. But I want to tell you that I want to come back soon. I do not want to have to spend another two years before I return. For that, you have to take the right decisions. I hope very much that those decisions will be taken. Then, I will have the opportunity to come back and have to opportunity to move on not only the
peace process but stability in the whole region."
In response to several questions, Mr Solana confirmed his commitment to maintain contacts with the Syrian leadership during the coming days and weeks, but underlined the importance of achieving concrete actions. "We have spoken clearly and frankly. The future has to be faced in a different manner, in a more constructive manner". But more than words "what we need now is deeds, facts".
He expressed the hope that the summit of the Arab League foreseen for the 28 of March will be successful and will reach agreements on all the issues relevant to the region. The EU has supported the Arab League peace initiative of 2002. He commended, in particular, the efforts of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. He said clearly that the EU will remain engaged in the region with the objective to help bring peace and expressed the hope that the Syrian government would do the same.
On the Association Agreement between the EU and Syria, HR Solana underlined that the EU wants to see Syria as full partner of the Euro-Mediterranean family and as soon as there would be progress on the important problems, the Agreement could be unblocked.
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