SOCHI, RUSSIA, (SANA)_ The Syrian-Russian summit talks between President Bashar al-Assad and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in Sochi today dealt with many regional and international issues of interest to both countries in addition to bilateral relations.

Depth of historical relations between Syria and Russia and ways of strengthening them in all fields to serve the interests of the two countries and peoples were asserted during the summit.

The talks also touched upon the peace process in the Middle East and Russian support to with an emphasis on the right of Syria to regain the Syrian occupied Golan where the Russian side expressed support and willingness to provide what is necessary for the success of  negotiations between Syria and Israel when reaching the stage of direct negotiations.

The Presidents al-Assad and Medvedev views agreed upon the situation in Iraq and the need to establish a timetable for  withdrawal of foreign forces and reach a national consensus among all Iraqi political forces through a comprehensive national dialogue.

The two sides stressed that there is no solution to Iran nuclear issue but the diplomatic political solution with an emphasis on the right of Iran to possess nuclear energy technology for peaceful purposes.

The Syrian side expressed its support for Russia's position in its response to the aggression launhed by Georgia against South Ossetia and condemned the double standard criteria applied by some countries against Russia in this matter.

Later, President Medvedev held a luncheon banquet in honor of President al-Assad attended by members of the two official delegations. During the banquet Presidents al-Assad and Medvedev completed their talks. Earlier, President al-Assad expressed pleasure over visiting Federal Russia and his first meeting with President Medvedev, conveying the greetings of the Syrian people to Medvedev for winning the confidence of the Russian people.

" We in Syria are totally keen on the strategic and historic relations between our two countries which have constantly worked for security and peace in the world," President al-Assad said.

He indicated that the Syrian-Russian relations have been continuously developing, particularly in the recent years, pointing out that today we will have an opportunity to talk more about the agreements signed in the past and how to activate and push them forward.

The President added: " There are many issues to be discussed politically, especially the Middle East problems and the recent crisis in the Caucus," pointing out to the great similarities between these problems, since that these areas are strategic areas on the world level.

President al-Assad renewed Syria's support to the Russian stance in the latest events regarding South Ossetia and Abkhazia, saying that "we understand the Russian stance and the Russian military response as a result of the provocations which took place. We appreciate the courageous decision taken by the Russian leadership in responding to the international initiatives and the start of withdrawing its forces."

President al-Assad stressed rejection of the double-standard criteria and attempts to distort the facts to portray Russia as an aggressor country.

He pointed out that he would discuss with President Medvedev the peace process and the indirect negotiations which began recently between Syria and Israel under Turkish mediation, saying that "Russia has always been a sponsor to this process…We'll discuss the active role which Russia can play in this regard."

For his part, President Medvedev welcomed President al-Assad in Sochi, expressing pleasure over meeting President al-Assad in person, pointing out that the agenda of talks between them has different topics.

The Russian President said: " The relations between Syria and Russia have been developing in an accelerating way, particularly in the economic and trade field as the volume of trade exchange has doubled over the first five months of this year."

He underlined that the Syrian-Russian relations play a pivotal role in several international issues, expressing gratitude to Syria for its supportive stance towards Russia during the recent aggression launched by Georgia on South Ossetia.

President Medvedev said " We can discuss all the issues of interest for the Syrian-Russian dialogue which is developing well and in a dynamic way."

President al-Assad's visit to Russia is the third as he had already visited the country twice in January 2005 and in December 2006 where he held talks with former President Vladimir Putin and other senior officials and focused on enhancing the friendship and cooperation relations between Syria and Russia in different fields.

Ghossoun /