Italian FM calls for return of Golan Heights to Syria
Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D 'Alema on Tuesday called on Israel to return the occupied Golan Heights to Syria through a peace agreement which could provide a real guarantee for the security of Israel.
D'Alema made the call at a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart Walid al-Muallem at the end of his two-day official visit.
"The peace process between Syria and Israel is an essential point," said the Italian top diplomat.
The Golan Heights was occupied by the Jewish state in the 1967 Middle East war.
D'Alema also indicated that Syria has an important role in the region, saying it is necessary to involve Damascus in achieving stability in the Middle East.
"The issue of peace cannot be resolved without the active participation of Syria and we attach great importance to the Arab peace initiative as it opens prospects for a comprehensive and just peace," he said.
D'Alema noted that the current crises in the Middle East could not be solved without finding a final settlement to the main problem, the Palestine issue.
For his part, Muallem said D'Alema held "constructive talks" with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the points of view between the two sides were close regarding a number of issues of mutual interest.
Source: Xinhua