Tehran, (SANA)-  Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem and his Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki held a joint news conference in Tehran Wednesday evening at the end of their talks, stressing the steady development of their two countries' bilateral relations, particularly in the economic and trade fields.

The two Foreign Ministers pointed out to the agreement in points of view over regional issues, including Iraq and Lebanon and support to the Palestinian issue.

Answering a question on a circulated media report that Olmert was ready to withdraw from the Golan until June 4th line in return for peace with Syria, Minister Moallem said that he didn't comment on press information, adding that "Syria's stance is announced: continued calling for the establishment of a just and comprehensive peace based on the UN Security Council resolutions 242, and 338 and the land-for-peace principle."

Mr. Moallem added that "if Israel is committed to the withdrawal to the June 4th line, and serious…and has the willingness to make peace, then there is nothing that prevents the resumption of the talks provided they don't negatively affect the Palestinian track or be used to tighten the siege on Gaza and for continued aggression on the Palestinian people." 

Replying to a question on the point of Iraq's neighboring Foreign Ministers meeting in Kuwait, Mr. Moallem said "these conferences are for the solidarity with Iraqi people and sharing their sufferings…and a forum for each delegation to express its own vision on how to establish stability and security in Iraq."

He added that "we in Syria believe that responsibility of achieving security and stability in Iraq are the number lie on the Iraqis themselves…this could be done through serious efforts to reach national reconciliation."

The Foreign Minister said the national reconciliation in Iraq "should be accomplished through practical steps, particularly a timetable for the withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq, building the country's military and security capabilities on national basis, the dismantling of all militias, reaffirming Iraq's independence and unity in people and land as well as the participation of all the walks of life there in the political process."

Mr. Moallem pointed out that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is going to visit Damascus soon to open the Syrian-Turkish Business Forum.

Ahmad Fathi ZAHRA