Erdogan Received By Syrian President Asad

DAMASCUS (AA) - Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was received in audience by Syrian President Bashar al-Asad on Wednesday.
     Al-Asad said during the meeting, ''we want to further increase bilateral relations with Turkey.''
     ''We attribute very much importance to activities that get closer peoples of the two countries. The pleasing cooperation on political area between two countries should continue,'' he added.
     Al-Asad said, ''if we can eliminate bureaucratic obstacles in economy, we can provide a new opening.''
     Meanwhile, Erdogan said that the visit of Al-Asad to Turkey in the beginning of this year was the initial step of many things.
     Syrian Premier Muhammad Naji al-Utri, Turkish State Ministers Mehmet Aydin and Kursad Tuzmen, and Turkish Energy & Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Guler also attended the meeting.
     Al-Asad and his wife Esma Asad hosted a luncheon in honor of Erdogan and his wife Emine Erdogan. Aydin, Tuzmen, Guler and Turkish Ambassador in Damascus Halit Cevik also attended the luncheon.
     (GC-ULG)
2004-12-22