By Xinhua,
Damascus : Syrian President Bashar al-Assad stressed on Thursday the “important and essential role” of the European Union in the Middle East peace process, the official SANA news agency reported.
Assad made the remarks while meeting with visiting EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, saying Syria attaches great importance to EU’s role in the process.
Peace which ensures security and stability for the peoples in the region would reflect positively on Europe and the world as a whole, Assad noted.
For his part, Solana said the EU strongly supports the peace process and seeks to play a constructive role in it.
He also praised efforts made by Syria to achieve peace and stability in the region, SANA said.
The two sides also discussed the growing development of the Syrian-European relations and prospects for further cooperation between Syria and the EU at all levels, in addition to a review of developments in the region.
They agreed on the need to exchange views and continue consultations between Syria and the EU on major issues in the region and the world, SANA said.
Solana is currently on a two-day visit to Syria, the last leg of his Middle East tour which has taken him to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.