Damascus, (SANA) - Vice President Farouk al-Shara reviewed on Wednesday with Vice Chairman of European People's Party Group (EPP) in the European Parliament Vito Bonsignore the latest developments in the region.

The two sides also discussed the challenges resulting from the Israeli occupation and policies against Arab and Palestinian rights, in addition to the EU-Syria Association Agreement.

Al-Shara explained to the EPP delegation the real motivations of the Israeli campaign of misdirection on the US arena, which aims at not only absolving Israel from the escalation of tension in the region but also sabotaging dialogue atmospheres that the new US administration started and forcing the acceptance of the Israeli terms towards the region.

Points of view were concurrent regarding the EU-Syria Association Agreement, with the Vice president stressing that the agreements between Syria and Europe should be based on mutual respect and joint interests.

For his part, Bonsignore said in a press statement that the EPP, one of the biggest groups in the European Parliament, is working to sign the EU-Syria Association Agreement and guarantee the achievement of the joint goals in the interest of both sides, highlighting Syria's strategic importance in the region.

He also stressed the EPP's keenness to work with Syria to re-launch peace process and achieve development in the region, underlining his party's commitment to working on achieving mutual aims and reconcile viewpoints regarding various issues.

In a similar meeting, Speaker of the People's Assembly Mahmoud al-Abrash also discussed with the Bonsignore and the accompanying EPP delegation bilateral relations, means for developing them and regional developments.

Talks during the meeting underlined the role of parliamentarians in relaying viewpoints among countries, stressing the need for exchanging visits between the two sides to bolster Syria-European relations.

Al-Abrash pointed out to the need for the European Union to play a larger role in supporting the peace process in the region, pressuring Israel to lift the siege on Gaza Strip, and stopping the Israeli aggressive policies.

In turn, Bonsignore underlined the importance of Syria's regional role, affirming the need to increase international efforts to each peace, stability and security in the region.

The EPP delegation also met with member of al-Baath Arab Socialist Party Regional Leadership Haytham Sataihi.

During the meeting, Sataihi underlined the importance of bolstering dialogue with the European Union, saying that the delegation's visit is an important opportunity for opening direct dialogue channels.

He expressed al-Baath Party's desire to exchange visits and hold meetings to pursue dialogue with European Parliament parties expressing Syria's desire to benefit from the EU experience in the ongoing process of administrative reform in Syria.

Al-Dardari discusses with the EU parliamentary delegation means of expanding cooperation

Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Abdullah al-Dardari discussed with Vice Chairman of European People's Party Group (EPP) in the European Parliament Vito Bonsignore  means of expanding cooperation between Syria and EU countries.

Al-Dardari stressed the importance of pushing cooperation towards establishing best relations, including economic, trade and development relations.

Deputy Prime Minister reviewed the economic, financial and social reform in Syria, calling on EU companies and businessmen to contribute to the developmental process through establishing investment projects in light of the advantages offered by the Syrian government.

For his part, Bonsignore expressed the desire of the European side to boost relations with Syria, highlighting the economic developments in Syria.

Grand Mufti of the Republic meets EPP Group

Grand Mufti of the Republic Ahmad Badr Eddin Hassoun reviewed with the European People's Parliament Group in the European Parliament the role of the parliaments and religious scientists in enhancing dialogue among nations.

Hassoun said that the Parliamentarians and scholars should call for more dialogue among cultures instead of clash of civilizations, highlighting the importance of benefiting from the EU experience on cooperation and rapprochement among peoples and working on building Man and preserving his/her humanity and dignity.

For his part, Bonsignore stressed the European Parliament's care about dialogue among cultures, calling for more cooperation among parliamentarians and scholars in this field.

Al-Abrash Discusses Regional Developments with Chairman of Iraqi Accord Front

Later, Speaker al-Abrash discussed with Chairman of the Iraqi Accord Front Ayad al-Samarrai the latest developments in Iraq and the role of parliamentarians in bolstering bilateral relations.

The two sides stressed the need for bolstering cooperation, benefiting from each country's parliamentary experience, and coordinating to boost Arab joint action.

Al-Abrash affirmed Syria's support of Iraq's independence and integrity and the political process in it, saying that ending Iraq's problems is dependent on the withdrawal of foreign forces from it.

In turn, al-Samarrai expressed the Iraqi people's appreciation of Syria's efforts in hosting Iraqi refugees and facilitating their participation in the recent Iraqi parliamentary elections.

I. al-Kazhali / H. Sabbagh Fadi Allafi .Mazen Eyon