Al-Moallem and D’ Alema hold Press Conference, describe talks as important
DAMASCUS, (SANA)-Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D’Alema on Tuesday described talks with President Bashar al-Assad as "very important", stressing "this visit is a turning point for consolidated ties between Syria and Italy to face challenges in the region." "My country supports reaching a partnership Association between Syria and the European Union and working to remove obstacles which hinder realization of this Association," D’ Alema added in a joint press conference with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem. The Italian Minister stressed the important effective role of Syria in solving problems in the region, saying "we are convinced it is not possible to solve issues proposed on the Palestinian, Lebanese and Iraqi arenas without Syria's participation." He noted that Italy gives big interest to the Arab peace initiative which "opens horizons for a comprehensive solutions to issues caused by 1967 war", saying "the restoration of the occupied Syrian territories is an essential point to achieve peace in the region." D’ Alema expressed his country's readiness to help Lebanon avoid terrorism and all what could destabilize Lebanon as well as encourage dialogue among the Lebanese to find a way out of the current crisis. "I'm optimistic about the possibility of cooperation between Syria and Italy to find a solution to the problems occurring in Lebanon, and help Lebanon avoid terrorism which harms its security and stability," Italian Foreign Minister said. On the latest events in Lebanon and repercussions on the Italian troops deployed within UNIFEL in South Lebanon, D’ Alema stressed "we have warned against the danger of infiltrating terrorist militants into the Palestinian camps." As for the situation in the occupied Palestinian lands, he referred that his country considered the Palestinian unity government as "a step forwards", expressing hope "dialogue between Palestinians and Israelis leads to the improvement of conditions for the Palestinians". Regarding Iraq, D’ Alema stressed the important procedures taken by Syria to achieve security and stability there based on national reconciliation, referring to Syria's participation in Sharm el-Sheikh conference on Iraq.
For his part, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem described Dalema's talks with Syrian officials as "constructive", saying "stances of Syria and Italy were close regarding challenges in the region…" "Talks dealt with the situation in Iraq and means of supporting the political process and national reconciliation because Iraq's security and stability is important to us," Minister al-Moallem said. He added "talks also dealt with the Arab-Israeli conflict and ways of achieving a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East." Al-Moallem clarified that the two sides showed backing to the Arab peace initiative and to the Palestinian national unity government, stressing the necessity of prohibiting fighting among the Palestinians. "Discussions referred to the situation in Lebanon… both sides expressed the importance of encouraging the Lebanese parties to reach a solution that realizes the country's security and stability," Minister al-Moallem said. He added "the two countries reiterated rejection of terrorism, considering what is going on of acts of terror in the region by al-Qaeda as a threat to the region's security and stability." On Syria's relation to "Fatah al-Islam" organization, al-Moallem made clear that "Syria has no relation to this organization and the Syrian security forces confronted its militants when they were trying to cross borders from Iraq." "Fatah al-Islam militants are wanted in Syria and a number of this organization's members are detained in the Syrian prisons… this organization has no relation to the Palestinian issue, but it harms it" Syrian Minister said. Later, Italian Foreign Minister left Damascus, he was seen off at Damascus International Airport by Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem.