EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana held talks on Thursday with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on the Middle East peace process and regional issues, highlighting improved ties between them. "The European Union strongly supports the peace process and is trying to play a constructive role," Solana said, according to the official news agency SANA.
SANA quoted Assad as saying Europe's "role in the peace process is important and essential. "Peace guarantees security and stability to the people of the region and this reflects positively on Europe and the world."
Solana's visit to Damascus is his first since March 2007, when his trip signaled a resumption of EU contacts with Damascus frozen after the February 2005 assassination of former Lebanese premier Rafiq Hariri.
According to AFP, his new visit to Damascus comes after Syria and Lebanon formally established diplomatic ties on October 15. Solana and Assad also discussed bolstering ties between Syria and the European Union and they agreed "to pursue consultations on regional and international issues," SANA said.
