DAMASCUS - President Bashar al-Assad received here Wednesday morning Iraqi Parliament Speaker Osama al- Nujaifi and the accompanying Iraqi Parliament delegation.
Talks focused at the big development witnessed by the Syrian-Iraqi relations and the importance of establishing a mechanism for political, economic, and cultural cooperation as to achieve real strategic partnership between Syria and Iraq in all fields serving the interests of the people of both countries and the people of the region.
President al-Assad voiced relief over the positive development in the Iraqi political arena, which contributes to the restoration of the Arab pivotal role of Iraq.
President al-Assad underlined the importance of the role of Parliament Members in bolstering popular relations between Syria and Iraq, pointing out that parliamentarian relations are considered valve of security to protect the fraternal relations between Syria and Iraq.
The talks also touched upon the latest Arab and regional developments, where assertion was laid on the Syrian-Iraqi rapprochements and economic integration as a kind of immunity to face future challenges.
On their part, al- Nujaifi and the accompanying Iraqi Members of Parliament voiced their great appreciation for Syria, leadership and people, for the efforts exerted throughout history as to help the Iraqi people and preserve the identity, integrity and stability of Iraq.
The meeting was attended by Syrian Parliament Speaker Dr. Mahmoud al-Abrash and the Presidential political and Media Advisor Dr. Bouthaina Shaaban.
Later on, at the Syrian Peoples Assembly (Parliament), Dr. al-Abrash and al- Nujaifi discussed mechanisms for developing parliamentary cooperation between Syria and Iraq, where a memo of understanding for the bolstering of relations between the two Parliaments was signed.
The memo stipulates cooperation in fields of legislative, legal and administrative experience exchange, developing contacts among Parliamentarian friendship groups, establishing close partnership relations among Parliamentarians and exchange of visits among them.
The memo also stipulates the enhancement of communication between both Parliaments as far as international issues, and coordination as far as common issues intensifying bilateral and multilateral parliamentarian efforts in contribution to the strengthening of understanding and reciprocal confidence.
In a statement to SANA, al- Nujaifi described his meeting with President al-Assad as ' constructive' and 'useful' during which President al-Assad presented 'a clear-cut vision for the increasingly developed relations between Syria and Iraq' and where President al-Assad ' underscored keenness on the integrity of Iraq and its success in all fields'.
Al- Nujaifi pointed out that the meeting witnessed an exchange of views regarding the events witnessed by the region and the relations between Syria and Iraq and prospects of their bolstering, asserting that the distinguished relations between Syria and Iraq would contribute to restore balance to the region.
President al-Assad and Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, on February 12 in Damascus, discussed means of activating the works of the joint Higher Committee, broadening economic cooperation and the situation in the region.
In October 2010 in Damascus, President al-Assad held talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on ways of removing all obstacles that might hinder cooperation between the two countries.
Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Naji Otri and his Iraqi counterpart al-Maliki during a meeting in Baghdad last January stressed the importance of activating the strategic cooperation council, establishing economic and investment partnerships between the two states.
Syria and Iraq signed five memos of understanding in Damascus last November for cooperation in the fields of trade, industry and exports.
In August 2010, ministries of petroleum in both countries signed a minutes on transporting Iraqi oil and gas into the Mediterranean via the Syrian lands.
© SANA (Syria Arab News Agency) 2011
