PM’S SPEECH AT DINNER BANQUET HOSTED
BY PRESIDENT BASHAR ASSAD
Following is
the text of the Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vjapyee’s speech
at Dinner Banquet hosted by the Syrian President Bashar Assad
at Damascus, yesterday.
" Thank
you for your warm words, and for the care, attention and hospitality,
which my delegation and I have received here. We appreciate the
special honour you have extended to us by accommodating our visit
in this holy month of Ramazan.
It is a pleasure
for me to visit this ancient land, after a gap of twenty four
years. I see this as a continuation of our historical interaction,
which has left its mark on the culture and traditions of both
our countries. In the present day, India and Syria seek to achieve
similar goals of modernization and national development.
Mr. President,
During my visit, we have shared perceptions and experiences on
our bilateral engagement and global issues. Our broad similarity
of outlook gives us the opportunity of crafting a contemporary
relationship for the present and future, drawing inspiration from
our past.
Our discussions
today, and the agreements we have signed, have shown that both
our countries are ready to develop new areas of cooperation to
exploit the potential created by the new economic environment.
We can now move
decisively to create durable partnerships in specific areas of
complementarities, like infrastructure, energy exploration, and
services. The presence of Indian oil companies in Syria, and the
establishment of concrete symbols of our partnership in biotechnology
and information technology are pointers in the right direction.
We can build on the many synergies between our two economics to
promote investment flows.
With commitment
to these objectives, we can build a new and expanded relationship,
on the foundation of the existing mutual goodwill and exploiting
objective economic opportunities.
Syria and India
also have shared concerns on the volatile situation in this region.
We welcome the persistent efforts to create a lasting solution
to the age-old problems of the Middle East. We have consistently
called for a comprehensive and lasting peace based on full implementation
of UN Security Council Resolutions 242, 338, 1397 and 497 and
the Land for Peace principle.
Mr. President,
In times such as these, friends must meet and regularly consult
with each other. I am happy that you have accepted my invitation
to visit India in the near future. I look forward to continuing
our fruitful dialogue on bilateral and global issues.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I request you to join me in a toast:
- to the health of President Assad;
- to the continues peace and prosperity
of the Syrian people;
- to India-Syria friendship.
Thank you."
