Damascus, SANA_ President Bashar al-Assad underlined Thursday that it is very important for Syria and France to take advantage of their good political relations to expand and deepen economic and cultural cooperation.

Meeting French Minister of Economy, Industry and Employment Mrs. Christine Lagarde , President al-Assad pointed out to the close correlation between politics, economy and culture, calling for putting a long-term strategic vision for economic cooperation between the two countries with a regional dimension in the interest of all.

President al-Assad's meeting with Lagarde focused on the existing friendship and cooperation relations between Syria and France, particularly in the economic area and means of developing and expanding prospects of bilateral cooperation in the fields of energy, infrastructure, transport, investment, experiences exchange and cooperation between different departments of the two countries.

Agreements and memorandums of understanding scheduled to be signed between Syria and France in the economic field during Lagarde's visit were also reviewed.

The French Minister indicated that France gives a great importance to strengthen cooperation with countries of the region in various fields, especially with Syria, which is considered a key partner in this cooperation.

Later, Prime Minister Mohammad Naji Otri, reviewed with Lagarde the economic cooperation between the two countries and ways to upgrade it.

Earlier, the second working session of the Syrian-French Businessman Council was held with the participation of a number of Syrian businessmen and the delegation of French companies accompanying Lagarde.

Deputy Premier for Economic Affairs, Abdullah al-Dardari, during the opening session, underlined the importance of economic and investment cooperation between Syria and France and benefiting from French expertise in infrastructure, energy and other sectors.

Lagarde said that the Syrian and French sides over the past months exchanged visits with the aim of setting up a suitable ground for bilateral cooperation.

Later, three cooperation agreements between Syrian Chamber of Navigation and Union of Maritime and River Transport in Marseille, Syrian Railways and CM-1 CG M company and between Syrian Standards and Specifications Commission and French Standards Association AFNOR were signed.

Both sides also inked memorandum of understanding for establishing center of controlling the electricity network in Syria, two declarations of good intentions for funding Damascus metro project and supporting the preparation of a framework law regarding partnership between the public and private sectors and a work plan of the Syrian-French businessmen for 2010. In a press conference following the signature, Dardari pointed out that the talks dealt with future projects in the different areas, where an emphasis was put on removing all obstacles facing the joint cooperation. In turn, the French Minister said that the talks touched upon the importance of signing the Syrian-European Association Agreement, which is in the interest of both parties. Mrs. Lagarde expressed happiness over renewing the signed understanding memorandum between Syrian Arab Airlines and French Airbus which includes the purchase of 14 Airbus planes to be delivered between 2010 and 2018 and French obligation to sell Syria 36 Airbus planes between 2018 and 2028.

Ghossoun /