Syrian FM calls on EU to pressure on Israel to lift Golan occupation

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al- Moallem called on Monday the Europe Union (EU) to practice pressure on Israel to lift its occupation on the Golan Heights and all of Arab occupied territories, the Syrian official news agency SANA reported Tuesday.

His call came at the meeting held in Damascus with the British Junior Foreign Minister for the Middle East Alistair Burt who aimed at discussing how Britain and Syria are working together towards mutual prosperity and security in the region.

The two ministers discussed the bilateral relations and the latest developments in the Middle East and the stalled peace process.

Burt highlighted the Syrian key role in the regional affairs calling to exert further efforts to overcome the obstacles that face the peace process stressing Syria's right to restore its occupied Golan, SANA said.

Britain encourages Israel and Syria to start direct talks. Damascus, however, argues that Israel should withdraw from the occupied land.

London is one of the western capitals who showed recently remarkable interest in boosting its relationship with Damascus, recognizing the rising Syrian role and its effects on the fundamental affairs in the region.

Source: Xinhua