Political relations

Joint communiqué issued by Mr Nicolas Sarkozy and Lt-gen. Bashar Al-Assad, President of Syria (Paris, 12 July 2008)

The President of the French Republic, M. Nicolas Sarkozy, and the President of Syria, Mr Bashar al Assad, held a wide-ranging exchange of views, talking abut bilateral, regional and international matters of common interest.

In the light of the positive regional developments, the two presidents agreed on a work plan to ensure the revitalization of bilateral relations, with a shared objective of strengthening political, economic and cultural ties between the two countries, particularly in the educational, academic and linguistic sphere.

Against this background, the French President will go to Syria at President Bashar al Assad’s invitation, before the middle of September 2008.

The visit will be prepared by a visit to Paris by Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Dardari, on 21 and 22 July and a visit to Damascus by the French Foreign Minister, M. Bernard Kouchner.

The two presidents stressed the importance of the Syrian-Israeli track of the peace process and noted the progress already achieved in the framework of the indirect talks between Syria and Israel under Turkey’s auspices.

The Syrian president expressed the hope that France, with the United States, would make her full contribution to a future peace agreement between Israel and Syria both in the direct negotiation phase and implementation of the agreement, including with respect to any necessary security arrangements. The French President signalled that France was ready and willing to respond to any request along these lines, if the parties considered it in their interest.

The two presidents reiterate their full support for the Doha Agreement. The French president welcomed the Syrian president’s strong determination to establish diplomatic relations with Lebanon, after the formation of a Lebanese government of national unity.

On behalf of the European Council presidency, the French president will initiate the appropriate procedures with a view to the signature of the association agreement between the European Union and Syria, and launch of the ratification process as soon as possible.

The two countries will actively cooperate to ensure the success of the Union for the Mediterranean.