By NNN-SANA
Damascus : President Bashar al-Assad has held discussions with visiting Vice President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammad Ben Rashid Al- Maktoum at the People’s Palace here.
Al-Assad and Sheikh Al- Maktoum reviewed during their meeting Monday bilateral relations between the two countries in all fields and the necessity of activating cooperation in the trade, economic and investment domains.
Both sides discussed the latest developments in the region, particularly in the occupied Palestinian territories, Iraq and Lebanon, underlining the importance of continuing coordination between the two states regarding issues of mutual concern.
They also conferred on ways of boosting the joint Arab action, particularly with the approach of holding the forthcoming Arab summit in Damascus and the preparations taken to make it a success.
The meeting was attended by Syrian Vice President Farouk al-Shara, Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem, Culture Minister Raid Na’ssan Agha, Assistant Foreign Minister Ahmad Arnous and Syrian Ambassador in UAE Rustom al-Zubei.
The UAE delegation included Dubai Deputy Governor Maktoum Ben Mohammad Ben Rashid Al- Maktoum, Foreign Minister Abdullah Ben Zaid Al-Nahyan, Chairman of Dubai airports Ahmad Ben Said Al Maktoum, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Anwar Mohammad Karkash and UAE Ambassador in Damascus Youssef Mohammad al-Madfaei.
In a statement to reporters at the airport, Sheikh Al Maktoum described relations between Syria and UAE as very good, saying “my visit to Damascus comes in the framework of boosting these ties.”
For his part, al-Shara underlined that the talks of Sheikh Al Maktoum with Al-Assad constitute a good opportunity to exchange opinions and consultations in issues that concern the two countries and the Arab nation as a whole.
“The visit is one of the factors that support the Arab summit,” Al-Shara said, adding that discussions and exchanging opinions among Arab brothers are an opportunity for this issue.
He underlined Syria’s commitment to restore the Arab solidarity, saying “the Arab summit of Damascus is an opportunity to correct any defect in the general situation in the region.”
The vice president expressed hope the Arab solidarity and consultation among the Arab leaders will form an opportunity to avoid any negative situation the region encounters.
The visit of Sheikh Al-Maktoum, also Premier and Dubai Governor, comes in the framework of continuing consultation and coordination between the two brotherly countries in the interest of the Arab causes and of boosting bilateral ties in all domains.
President of the UAE Sheikh Khalifa Ben Zaid Al Nahyan visited Syria in July 2007 during which he held talks with Al-Assad on bilateral relations and means of enhancing them.