Milan, (SANA) – Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah al-Dardari on Monday started an official visit to Italy to discuss the Syrian-Italian cooperation.

Participating in Economic and Financial Forum for the Mediterranean, al-Dardari said "strengthening relations between the two shores of the Mediterranean is impossible without achieving just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East."

Al-Darari added that the peace should be in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and the land for peace principle.

He said there are USD 100 billion projects in Syria ready for investment in the next five years to achieve annual growth rate exceeding 6 percent.

The projects vary between infrastructure, energy, railways, highways and communication linking our region with Europe and East to the West, calling Italian companies to make investments in Syria.

He added that "we should look at the southern shore of the Mediterranean as the closest point to Europe with an economic growth exceeding 5,5 percent and a series of economic reforms."

On the sideline of the Forum, al-Dardari met the Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. Berlusconi said Italy is open to all the Mediterranean countries, stressing the need to establish Syrian-Italian partnerships serving the interest of both countries.

Possibility of cooperation in tourism, industry, export, small-sized institutions, banking, insurance, railways, oil and gas was also discussed.

R. Raslan/ Ghossoun/Zahra