Damascus, (SANA)-  President Bashar al-Assad and Italian President Giorgio Napolitano held here Thursday morning a session of bilateral talks, followed by another expanded session in presence of members of the two official delegations.

President al-Assad, at the end of the talks, awarded the visiting Italian President, Syria's highest medal, 'Umayyad with the biggest Sash'; President Napolitano awarded president al-Assad Italy's highest medal, ' the knight of the greatest cross with the biggest knot'.

''Our meeting with our Italian friends is an extension for the interaction, continued for centuries between the two cultures of our two regions, with all what this interaction has produced of civilization contributions on the Mediterranean shores,'' said President al-Assad, in a joint press conference, following the talks. ''

We have conducted transparent and deep talks, in which climate of intimacy and respect prevailed; caring through the talks, as to upgrade the level of bilateral relations, in all fields: political, economic, cultural and social, in line with our rich historic relations,'' added President al-Assad, pointing out that the talks covered several 'issues of common interest', ' conditions in the Middle East and in Europe'.

President al-Assad described the talks as being characterized with a 'joint desire to deepen the standing dialogue and cooperation' between Syria and Italy, opening up new horizons of cooperation, given the geographic position of both countries on the Mediterranean.

"We have also dealt with the halted Mideast Peace; whereby our viewpoints were in agreement that the peace in the Middle East would be reflected security, and stability, upon Europe as well as the entire world,'' added President al-Assad, warning against the risks of keeping the conditions as they are, and calling on Italy and European Countries, which 'comprehend our causes, given the historic bonds and geography closeness, to contribute to the finding of useful solutions for the region causes'.

President al-Assad reiterated Syria's serious desire in the realization of the just and comprehensive peace, based on the International Legitimacy resolutions, through indirect negotiations by the Turkish mediator, thanking President Napolitano for Italy's support to Syria's right to restore the occupied Syrian Golan.

"I have explained to President Napolitano the impracticability of peace realization because of the absence of the partner from the Israeli side,'' declared President al-Assad, making it clear that the current Israeli Government 'can not be counted upon as the partner, as long as it receives the calls for the peace with the more of settlement, Judaization, and violation of sanctities,'.

"The tragic conditions suffered by the Palestinian People have been at the core of today's talks; I have called upon Italy and the European Union, to redouble efforts as to lift the unjust siege imposed on the Palestinian People, open the crossings, pressure Israel as to end its occupation of the 1967 occupied Arab territories, dismantling settlements, both of which create a stumbling obstacle before the peace, pushing the region toward more of tensions and wars. '' said al-Assad.

"The talks, further, dealt with the latest developments of conditions in Iraq; we voiced hope that the results of the recently-held parliamentary elections would be positively reflected upon the security and stability of Iraq; which is part and parcel of the region security and stability,'' added President al-Assad.

For his part, President Napolitano described the talks as ' very fruitful', characterized with grand 'frankness' and 'cordiality', citing the new horizons for bolstering economic and cultural relations between Italy and Syria.

'Italy highly appreciates Syria's stance within the region first, as a country with deep-rooted civilization and history. We highly appreciate the Syrian Model. As a secular State,'' added president Napolitano, citing Syria's religious freedom, and respect for all.

President Napolitano, further, spoke of signed agreements of bilateral cooperation, exchanged official visits, businessmen council meeting, asserting that Italy looks forward to develop the relations with Syria, and that Italy is 'playing an active role within the EU as to reach to a satisfactory association agreement' ' in full respect for Syria's independence and sovereignty', ' the agreement should reflect joint interests as far as economic and trade relations' .

President Napolitano, who voiced Italy's backing for Syria's joining to World Trade Organization, expressed hope that Syria would contribute to a negotiating solution for Iran's nuclear issue.

President Napolitano, as far as Mideast peace process, asserted that a two-state solution is the only possible solution; ' the Palestinian people have the right to establish their independent state; and Israel's right to get its existence recognized,' asserting that Italy is ' exerting every possible effort' for this purpose.

President Napolitano underlined Italy's support for peace process, and stands with the return of the territories occupied by Israel, including the Golan, as it has been officially presented to the Israeli premier by Italy's Premier, Silvio Berlusconi. The Italian President asserted the importance of Palestinian reconciliation, voicing displeasure over the Israeli recent building of settlements in East Jerusalem.

The visiting Italian President also mentioned the importance of Italy's participation in UNIFIL in Lebanon, reiterating his country's continued work for peace, as ' to evade that Lebanon would be once more a field' for war, citing Syria's contribution to the formation of Lebanese Government.

President Napolitano paid a visit earlier today to the Unknown Soldier Monument and laid a wreath of flowers. Furthermore, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem met with His Italian Counterpart, Franco Frattini; both sides signed a 20 million Euro easy-loan agreement. The loan is to be used for financing small and medium projects.

The Italian President was accompanied by Minister of Presidential Affairs, Head of Honor Mission Mansour Azzam.

Al-Ibrahim