TUNIS, SANA _Activities of the Syrian-Tunisian Higher Joint Committee co-chaired by Prime Minister Mohammed Naji Ottri and his Tunisian counterpart Mohamed Ghannouchi began in Tunis Monday.

Ottri stressed the importance of enhancing joint cooperation between the two countries and eliminating the obstacles which hinder this cooperation.

The Prime Minister called on the Arab countries to face the standing challenges by enhancing their solidarity and joint action and building a strong integrated economy through supporting the developmental programs, ensuring job opportunities, self-sufficiency and food security and easing the effects of poverty and unemployment which most of the Arab societies are suffering from.

 He pointed out that "peace in the Middle East is Syria's strategic option", calling on the international community to shoulder responsibility for reviving the peace process and achieving the just and comprehensive peace based on the UN Security Council's resolutions, references of Madrid Conference and land for peace principle in a way that guarantees the restoration of the occupied Syrian Golan, the Palestinian territories and Lebanese Shibba Farms to the June 4th 1967 Line.

He said that the "meetings of the joint committee contributed in enhancing the bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the economic, trade, cultural, media and other domains which reflect their common desire on opening new prospects of cooperation through investing all potentials and benefiting from all facilities which the two sides are offering to increase the volume of trade exchange and eliminating the non-customs limits".

He underlined the two sides keenness on bolstering the bilateral relations between them in serving their interests on all levels, particularly on the financial, banking and customs cooperation, activating the role of businessmen and investors, establishment of a maritime transport line which directly links the Syrian ports with the Tunisian ones and benefiting from the scientific expertise in developing the food, textile and mechanical industries sectors.

Ottri expressed full confidence that the two sides will accomplish important achievements through signing new agreements on the scientific, technological, communication, post services, tourism, medicines, veterinarian vaccines cooperation and other fields like industry, energy, oil and gas.

For his part, Ghannouchi said that the meeting contributes in making an overall evaluation for the march of the relations between the two countries.

Al-Ghannouchi renewed Tunisia's firm stance and support to Syria in its seeking for the restoration of the occupied Golan according to the United Nations' relevant resolutions and Syria's right in respecting its sovereignty and lands.

He reiterated Tunisia's standing by the Palestinian people and the call for the resumption of peace negotiations on the basis of United Nations' resolutions and the international legitimacy for the establishment of the Palestinian independent state , in addition to realizing the permanent just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.

Regarding the Lebanese situation, al-Ghannouchi underlined Lebanon's right in the restoration of the still occupied lands saying : " We hope that all political parties in this country to surmount the current crisis and reach a comprehensive national reconciliation to avoid dangers of partition and to preserve the stability."

On the Iraqi issue, he said : " We hope this country to complete the steps it adopted for the Iraqi people to be able to restore its sovereignty within the framework of maintaining their unity, safety and re-building their country."

Later, Ottri discussed with Ghannouchi means of developing joint cooperation between the two countries in the interest of them.

During their meeting, the two sides reviewed issues on the agenda of the meetings of the joint committee, mechanisms of activating the agreements signed between them, the draft projects and memos of understanding which are scheduled to be signed at the conclusion of the meetings.

Nawal / H.Zein/ Ghossoun