DAMASCUS, (SANA) _ The third meeting of the Security Cooperation and Coordination Committee for Iraq-Neighboring Countries kicked off on Sunday in Damascus with the participation of Syria, Jordan, Kuwait, Iraq, Egypt, Bahrain, Iran and Turkey. 

Representatives from the Arab League, the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Conference, permanent members of the Security Council and the Group of 8 also participate in the meeting.

Syrian Minister of Interior Gen. Bassam Abdul Majid said in his opening speech that "Syria is still taking all necessary procedures to control its borders with Iraq to accomplish the joint security between them. Syria has always shown sincere cooperation with Iraq and the neighboring countries in the field of fighting all forms of terrorism and crimes."

The Minister added that the establishment of security and stability in the region needs the cooperation of all neighboring countries in this regard to fight all forms of crimes, especially the crimes of terrorism.

Minister Abdul Majid said that " As we meet today to assess what has been achieved in the field of security cooperation and coordination between Iraq and its neighboring countries, we find ourselves before a clear, dangerous violation of the Syrian sovereignty, the international law and the United Nations' principles when American forces coming from Iraq launched an act of aggression against the Syrian Arab Republic on 26 October, targeting a civilian building in al-Sukkariah Farm, Abu Kamal area, claiming the lives of several Syrian civilians. Among those killed were citizen Daoud al-Abdullah and his four children. All the victims were building workers."

He added that "Condemning this aggression is not enough…and this meeting must come up with an assertion that Iraq will not be the base for any hostile acts against any of its neighboring countries under any conditions whatsoever."

The Minister of Interior said that Syria had signed a Memo of Understanding with Iraq in 2006, in implementation of Jeddah Protocol signed by the Ministers of Interior of Iraq neighboring countries upon which Syria assigned liaison officers to exchange information in this filed. He added that from this point of view, we have to take all necessary procedures that help achieving this goal.

He stressed that "boosting up the security cooperation and coordination and implementing the bilateral agreements to control the joint borders, which is a joint responsibility of all sides of these borders, requires from all of us to enhance the cooperation and coordination to achieve this goal."

Minister Abdul Majid pointed out that the stability of Iraq is necessary and important due to its reflection on the countries of the region, and this requires national reconciliation among all its citizens regardless of their affiliations, in a way that keeps unity of Iraq's people and land, and guarantee its sovereignty and independence. This will not be achieved without the withdrawal of foreign forces, so we renew our support to the Iraqi government and readiness to offer any possible assistance to achieve its security and stability."

For his part, Labid Abawi, Iraqi Deputy Foreign Minister and head of his country's delegation, renewed Iraq keenness and commitment on not using his country's territories as a passage or base for any aggression on any of the neighboring countries or a source of threat to their security.

Abawi added said that "we're on the way of deepening our relations with our neighbors based on our belief that the security and stability of Iraq is firmly linked to the security and stability of our neighbors and region. We’re keen on their security and safety in as much we are on own our."

Abawi expressed appreciation of Syria's efforts in hosting the Iraqi refugees amid sentiments of fraternity and good-neighborhood as well as the firm relationship between the people of the two countries despite the burdens suffered as a result of their stay in Syria.

He pointed out to the steps taken by the Iraqi government in the political and security fields, noting to the importance of what had been achieved in terms of security improvement thanks to the cooperation with the neighboring countries. 

The Iraqi official voiced the wish that the meeting would come up with success in adopting recommendations that help boost up the security and stability in Iraq and in the region as a whole.

Later, the first session started its talks chaired by Assistant Foreign Minister and Head of the Syrian delegation Ahmad Arnous with discussing the topics listed on the agenda of the meeting on ways of enhancing the security cooperation and coordination to help Iraq achieve its security and stability.

The session also touched upon discussing and assessing what has been implemented over the past period in this field. 

In a statement to reporters, Mr. Arnous said Syria has taken the needed measures to control its borders in a perfect professional way, pointing out that Syria's friends and the world have condemned the American aggression which targeted the innocents in the Syrian Abu Kamal area.  

Mr. Arnous added that the session focused on what must be done to help Iraq establish its security and stability and fight all crimes, especially crimes of terrorism.

He said that the participating countries expressed support to Iraq in establishing its security, stability, sovereignty and guaranteeing the all-out reconciliation among all its citizens.

The Assistant Foreign Minister pointed out that the Iraqi delegation and all the other participating countries stressed that Iraq must not be the basis for any aggression on any of the neighboring countries under any conditions whatsoever.

Ghosson / Ahmad Fathi ZAHRA