Damascus, (SANA) – President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday discussed with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nikolay Mladenov Syrian-Bulgarian friendly relations and both countries' desire to boost the standing cooperation as well as the importance of opening new prospects for this cooperation in a way that serves the two peoples' interests.

During the meeting, both sides discussed the tense situation in the region due to the policies of the current Israeli government, and the role Bulgaria could play in the peace process in the region due to its experience as a state in a complicated region like the Balkans, and its strong historic ties with Syria as well as its distinguished relations with Turkey.

For his part, Mladenov asserted that achieving peace in the Middle East is pivotal and important for Europe and the whole world, underlining the Turkish role, seeing there is need to have a European will to play a more active role in the peace process in the region.

Mladenov extended Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov's invitation to President al-Assad to visit Bulgaria.

President al-Assad promised to answer the invitation in the convenient time. The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem, Presidential Political and Media Advisor Dr. Bouthaina Shaaban, Assistant Foreign Minister Abdul Fattah Ammoura and the delegation accompanying Mladenov.

In the same context, Prime Minister Mohammad Naji Otri discussed with Mladenov means of cooperation in the field of engineering industries, irrigation projects, dams, roads, agricultural development and activating the role of businessmen to increase trade exchange volume and establish development and investment companies.

Mladenov expressed his country's desire to upgrade cooperation with Syria and re-invigorate relations between the two countries, pointing out to the Bulgarian companies' desire to contribute to establishing development and service projects in Syria.

Last April, President Bashar al-Assad discussed with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borissov relations between the two countries and the latest developments in the regional and international arenas. During Borissov's visit to Syria, the two countries signed four agreements in the fields of finance, transport, economy and sport.

Rasha Milhem / al-Ibrahim