– President Bashar al-Assad discussed on Saturday with Claude Gueant, Secretary General of the French Presidency, the friendly relations between Syria and France and means of bolstering and expanding them to cover various fields.

Talks stressed the importance of benefiting from these relations, which are based on confidence and credibility, to serve the interests of the two countries as well as the region's security and stability.

The two sides also reviewed regional developments and the efforts needed to invigorate the peace process in order to achieve stability and prosperity in the Middle East.

For his part, Gueant expressed his country's appreciation of Syria's important role in the Middle East, affirming that France is determined to intensify efforts to achieve peace and stability in this vital part of the world.

The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem, Presidential Political and Media Advisor Dr. Bouthaina Shaaban, Syria's Ambassador to France Lamia Shakkour, and the French Ambassador in Damascus.

President al-Assad received a message from French President Nicolas Sarkozy on May 23rd, 2010 on bilateral relations, convoyed by French Foreign Minister.

Both Presidents al-Assad and Sarkozy held talks in Paris in November 2009 on enhancing Syrian-French relations, regional and international issues.

President al-Assad discussed with French Prime Minister Francois Fillon in Damascus, February 2010, cooperation between the two countries in the political, economic and cultural fields. Syria and France signed during Fillon's visit 11 agreements and memos of understanding in different fields