President Bashar al-Assad discussed on Monday with Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmet Davutoglu the distinguished relations between Syria and Turkey and their rapidly-developing process.
President al-Assad and Davutoglu affirmed the two countries' desire to invest these relations to achieve peace and stability in the region, stressing that the solutions to the region's problems come from within their countries, not from outside.
Talks dealt with the situation in the Middle East and the stalled peace process due to the hostile practices of the extremist Israeli government as some powers still consider it above international laws and norms.
The two sides affirmed the need for an independent international investigation into the crime committed by Israel against defenceless civilians on board the Freedom Flotilla.
President al-Assad and Davutoglu also stressed the need to intensify efforts to break the inhuman siege imposed on Gaza Strip and the importance or realizing Palestinian reconciliation as a guarantee to support the Palestinian people's struggle to restore their rights.
Regarding the situation in Iraq, viewpoints were in agreement regarding the need to exert efforts to form a government that unifies the Iraqis as soon as possible to establish security and stability in the country.
The meeting was attended by Assistant Vice President Hassan Tourkmani, Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem, Presidential Political and Medial Advisor Dr. Bouthaina Shaaban and the Turkish Ambassador in Damascus.
Later, President al-Assad held a work luncheon banquet in honor of Davutoglu and visiting Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri, during which they discussed the relations among the three countries and means for bolstering them to reflect positively on regional issues, particularly the Palestinian cause.
President al-Assad held talks in June with Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul on the critical situation in the Middle East due to Israel's hostile practices.
During the meetings, President al-Assad expressed the support of Syria's leadership and people to the families of the Turkish victims of the brutal Israeli aggression on Freedom Flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza.
President al-Assad also paid an official visit to Turkey in May, during which he discussed bilateral relations and regional and international developments with President Gul, in addition to participating in a tripartite meeting with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and the Turkish Premier.
During this visit, the two sides signed an agreement for primary cooperation in tourism and media and a second agreement on the joint use of border crossing points of Qamishli and Nassib.