Home
Politics
French Prime Minister Francois Fillon (left) is greeted by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad
Fillon is to hold talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad later on Friday, while French and Syrian officials are to sign several economic and cultural agreements on Saturday.
"My visit is aimed at sealing our relations and allowing them to take a new step forward," the French premier was quoted as saying in an interview Thursday with the Syrian daily El-Watan.
Paris hopes to build economic ties with Syria at a time when the country is opening up more and more to foreign investments as part of economic reforms.
Diplomatic relations between France and Syria have warmed since Assad paid a landmark visit to Paris in 2008 for Bastille Day celebrations.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy visited Damascus two months later, and Assad went to France in November last year.
France also wants to use its improved ties with Syria to help contribute to a Middle East peace settlement, including the resumption of Syrian-Israeli peace talks.
Fillon is also expected to discuss Iran, Syria's key ally in the region, before leaving late for neighbouring Jordan, where he is due to hold talks on Sunday.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"My visit is aimed at sealing our relations and allowing them to take a new step forward," the French premier was quoted as saying in an interview Thursday with the Syrian daily El-Watan.
Paris hopes to build economic ties with Syria at a time when the country is opening up more and more to foreign investments as part of economic reforms.
Diplomatic relations between France and Syria have warmed since Assad paid a landmark visit to Paris in 2008 for Bastille Day celebrations.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy visited Damascus two months later, and Assad went to France in November last year.
France also wants to use its improved ties with Syria to help contribute to a Middle East peace settlement, including the resumption of Syrian-Israeli peace talks.
Fillon is also expected to discuss Iran, Syria's key ally in the region, before leaving late for neighbouring Jordan, where he is due to hold talks on Sunday.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
