Damascus, (SANA) - President Bashar al-Assad received on Saturday Turkish President Abdullah Gul.

President al-Assad and President Gul held a bilateral meeting followed by a plenary one, during which they discussed current events and issues in the Middle East, particularly in Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine, focusing on the Palestinian people's suffering and increasing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip.

President al-Assad and President Gul affirmed the importance of achieving just and comprehensive peace in the region and restoring the occupied lands to its owners according to relevant decisions of international legitimacy and the "land for peace" formula.

President al-Assad also welcomed President Gul's attendance of the official opening ceremony of the "Damascus, Arab Capital of Culture 2008" event.

The plenary meeting was attended by Vice President Farouk al-Shara, Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem, the Syrian Ambassador in Ankara, the Turkish delegation accompanying President Gul, and the Turkish Ambassador in Damascus.

Later, President al-Assad held a luncheon in honor of President Gul, during which they continued talks. The luncheon was attended by members of the Syrian and Turkish delegations.

In a statement to SANA given upon his arrival in Damascus, President Gul affirmed his country's dedication to improving and strengthening Syrian-Turkish bilateral relations, stating that he will discuss with President al-Assad recent developments in the region. He also expressed happiness over visiting Syria and attending the Arab Capital of Culture opening ceremony.

President Gul is accompanied by State Minister for Women and Family Affairs Nimet Cubukcu and a number of officials. This is President Gul's first visit to Syria after becoming the President of the Republic of Turkey last August. He visited Damascus when he was a Foreign Minister in 2006/

Syrian-Turkish relations witnessed continuous improvement during the past years in all fields. The visit of President al-Assad to Turkey in October 2007 helped push relations forward. An agreement for improving cooperation in the fields of politics, security and economy was signed during this visit.

Trade exchange between the two countries increased from 150 million dollars in 2003 to one billion dollars in 2007, with both sides agreeing to reach 2 billion in 2008 and 5 billion by the end of the 10th five-year plan.

H. Sabbagh, Ghossoun, A. N. Idelibi