LOC20:43
17:43 GMT
(With photos)
DAMASCUS, Oct 21 (KUNA) -- Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad said his
country joined the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas after signing
membership papers Thursday.
Al-Assad, at a joint news conference with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez
following their talks, said joining the Alliance would mark a new beginning to
boosting partnership with the Alliance in general and Venezuela in particular.
He appreciated Chavez' support for Arab causes, as well as his role in
Latin America.
This is the third meeting between Al-Assad and Chavez in 13 months, and the
Syrian president praised the relations with Venezuela.
Al-Assad said he briefed Chavez about the latest developments vis-a-vis the
Middle East peace process, saying that Israel is not ready nor willing to
offer anything for the peace process.
Israel is trying to convince the world that the peace process is a failure,
he said. The Jewish state is continuing with its systematic killing of the
Palestinians, judizing of occupied Jerusalem and defying calls to halt
settlements.
Chavez meanwhile said the world should be multi-polar and balanced at the
economic, cultural, political and military levels.
He praised the steadfastness of the Palestinian people and their resistance
against the Israeli occupation to regain their freedom.
Chavez said Venezuela and Syria signed six agreements and MoUs today on
commercial, economic, education, transport, anti-drug trafficking and the
establishment of company to produce coton. (end)
om.bs
KUNA 212043 Oct 10NNNN