Presidents al-Assad and Talabani expressed satisfaction over the growing development of these relations.
Talabani voiced Iraq's desire to build strategic relations in the interest of the two brotherly peoples and the countries of the region, their security and stability, stressing his country's readiness for developing relations with Syria at all levels.
The talks also dealt with activating the performance of the Joint Higher Committee, eliminating all obstacles hindering reciprocal investments and expanding economic cooperation.
They also underlined the importance of speeding up the implementation of the agreements signed during Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's visit to Syria, and the recent visit of Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Naji Otri to Iraq.
President al-Assad and Talabani also discussed the situation in Iraq and the progress it made through the current political process in it, stressing the importance of bolstering this process due to its impact on the security and stability of Iraq and the neighboring countries.
President al-Assad reiterated Syria's support for holding the upcoming Arab Summit in Iraq and the return of Iraq's role on the Arab arena as a main partner in making the region's future.
The talks also dealt with a number of Arab and regional issues, particularly the situation in Egypt, with Presidents al-Assad and Talabani voicing their full confidence in the ability of the Egyptian people to improve Egypt's status and restore its natural Arab and international role.
The talks were attended by Vice President Farouk al-Shara, Prime Minister Mohammad Naji Otri, Assistant Vice President Mohammad Nassif, Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem, Presidential Political and Media Advisor Dr. Bouthaina Shaaban, Minister of Petroleum Sufian Allao, Minister of Presidential Affairs Mansour Azzam, Deputy Foreign Minister Dr. Fayssal Mikdad, and the Syrian Ambassador in Baghdad Nawaf al-Fares.
From the Iraqi side, the talks were attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Hoshyar Zebari, Minister of Oil Abdul Kareem Liaibi, State Minister Hasan al-Sari, and the delegation accompanying President Talabani.
Earlier, President al-Assad received President Talabani at Damascus International Airport. Upon the Presidents' arrival at the People's Palace, the Iraqi and Syrian national anthems were played, followed by reviewing the Honor Guard. Afterwards, the Presidents shook hands with members of the two official delegations.
President al-Assad held a luncheon banquet in honor of President Talabani, attended by members of the official delegations.
During the last year's Arab Summit, President al-Assad, meeting Talabani, underlined Syria's keenness on the establishment of better relations with Iraq and the importance of laying foundations for them to guarantee the two brotherly peoples' interests.
Last October, President al-Assad held talks with Iraqi Premier Nouri al-Maliki in Damascus during which the emphasis on removing all obstacles that hinder cooperation between Syria and Iraq was put.
Last January , Premier Mohammed Naji Otri and al-Maliki in Baghdad stressed the activation of the Strategic Cooperation Council and setting up economic partnerships and investment.
Last November, Syria and Iraq signed five understanding memoranda for cooperation in the areas of trade, industry and export development.
Ministries of Oil in both countries signed, last August, the minutes of meeting on transporting Iraqi crude oil and gas to the Mediterranean coast through Syrian territories.
The Joint Committee meetings, held last April in Baghdad, yielded nine understanding memoranda, cooperation protocols and a joint minutes in the economic, health, cultural, financial and industrial fields.
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