By NNN-SANA,
Damascus : Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday holds discussion with Chairperson of the African Union Commission Jean Ping Talks on the necessity of boosting the Arab-African cooperation.
They also exchanged points of view regarding the role played by the African Union in enhancing the security and stability in the African continent.
For his part, Mr. Ping underlined Syria’s role in its capacity as head of the Arab Summit in helping to solve African issues, particularly in Somalia and Darfur Region.
Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem and Deputy Foreign Minister Dr. Fayssal al-Mikdad attended the meeting. Later, al-Moallem continued talks with Ping in the presence of al-Mikdad.
In statements to reporters, Mr. Ping described his meeting with President al-Assad as “excellent”, asserting the importance of his visit to Syria which is chairing the Arab Summit and playing an important role in the issues of the region and in boosting the Arab-African cooperation.
He pointed out that this visit, which came after his election as Chairperson of the African Union Commission, aims at exchanging opinions with the Syrian officials regarding several issues of common interest.
Mr. Ping renewed support of the African Union to the Arab issues , particularly the Palestinian cause, saying that “the African Union has always supported the Arab people in general and the Palestinian people in particular , especially at the international assemblies.”