Buenos Aires - Syrian Minister of Information Mohsen Bilal on Wednesday conveyed a verbal message from President Bashar al-Assad to President of Argentina Christina Fernandez on bilateral relations, inviting her to visit Syria.
During the meeting, the Argentinean president underlined historical ties between the two countries, their struggle against occupation and their solidarity at the international forums serving issues of concern for both countries.
She considered that the establishment of a Palestinian state and Israel's withdrawal form the occupied Syrian Golan are essential for achieving world peace and stability, pointing out that the continued Israeli occupation of the Arab territories imposes a threat to world peace.
The Argentinean president referred to Syria's pivotal role under the leadership of President al-Assad in achieving stability in the region, asserting that realizing peace in the Middle East is a key issue for achieving world peace and security .
She called for establishing an independent Palestinian state and putting an end to the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza Strip under the unjust siege which violates the international conventions.
She reviewed the experience of Mercosur Business European Forum chaired by Argentina, expressing her country's desire for boosting cooperation with the Arab countries, developing bilateral relations, and supporting the role of Arab and Latin American Countries' Summit.
She expressed willingness to respond to President al-Assad's invitation this year, calling for holding the Syrian-Argentinean Joint Committee in Damascus during the first quarter of 2010, inviting President al-Assad to visit Argentina this year.
For his part, Minister Bilal hailed Argentina's stance in support of Goldstone report on the Israeli crimes and violations in Gaza Strip.
He asserted that this stance indicates the firm support of the Argentinean government to human rights and its condemnation of the crimes committed against humanity which it considers as war crimes, calling for prosecuting those who were behind them.
Earlier on Tuesday, Minister Bilal met Argentinean Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana and discussed Syrian-Argentinean bilateral relations and the role of the Syrian community in Argentina in connecting the two countries culturally, economically and commercially.
Talks also dealt with the political situation in the Middle East, with Taiana reiterating his country's support for ending the Israeli occupation of the Syrian Golan, stressing the importance of the Syrian role in bolstering stability in the region. He also expressed satisfaction over the détente witnessed recently in the Middle East.
In an interview with the Syrian Telvisison, Taiana lauded Syria's stances in support of Argentinean causes.
In turn, Minister Bilal praised Argentine's role in South America, saying that his visit aims to expand dialogue and cooperation and follow up on the results of the Summit of Arab and Latin American Countries.
Both sides affirmed the importance of the periodical meetings of the High-Level Joint Committee in developing economic, cultural, commercial and political relations between the two countries.
Minister Bilal also met a number of Argentinean officials, and gave a lecture at the Syrian-Lebanese Club in Buenos Aires, discussing the role of Syria and its international relations during the current stage, in addition to Syria's honest efforts for achieving just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.
On the sideline of the lecture, Bilal met representatives of the Via Arab organization.
In an interview with the Argentinean newspaper Clarin, Minister Bilal stressed the need for acknowledging the Palestinian people's right to establish an independent state and the right to restore the occupied Syrian Golan and all the occupied Arab lands through Israel's withdrawal to the 1967 line, saying "occupation is the essence of the struggle in the region."
He also pointed out to the speech delivered in June 2008 in Cairo by US President Barack Obama on peace in the Middle East, noting that Israel isn't cooperating with peace efforts and refused to freeze settlements in the West Bank and Jerusalem, adding that instead of that, Benjamin Netanyahu's government announced building more settlements in Jerusalem.
Syria and Argentina signed a commercial agreement in Buenos Aires in 1989, stipulating for taking steps to facilitate and develop trade between the two countries and improving trade exchange.
The two countries aim at signing an agreement for attracting and protecting joint investments and an agreement on avoiding double taxation, in addition to organizing expos and centers for Syrian merchandise in Argentinean cities.
By Ruaa al-Jazaeri / H. Sabbagh / A.N.Idelbi
© SANA (Syria Arab News Agency) 2010
