Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-07-11
CONTENTS
[01] Papandreou holds talks with Syrian President Assad
[01] Papandreou holds talks with Syrian President Assad
Main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) leader and
Socialist International (SI) President George Papandreou held talks in
Damascus on Tuesday with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad that lasted
over an hour.
The talks focused on the situation in Iraq, developments in the Middle
East and especially in the Gaza Strip.
Papandreou said his talks were the continuation of his initiative, on
behalf of the SI, regarding Middle East issues and the Arab world in
general.
"We had the opportunity to discuss with the Syrian President the
situation in Iraq and ways to get out from the occupation status and
enter and new Iraq of peace, cooperation and stability for the wider
region," Papandreou told reporters after the meeting.
"The basic issue discussed was the Gaza Strip crisis. A crisis which
must be defused and Syria can play an important role towards this
direction. We had the opportunity to examine details in defusing the
crisis and for the peace process to resume," Papandreou added.
Papandreou also met with Syria Vice-President Farouk al-Sharaa who
briefed him on the country's internal situation. The Socialist
International president again presented his proposal for a regional
conference on the Middle East problem, a proposal made to Israeli and
Palestinian officials during a recent visit in the region.
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