Glimpses of the Syrian-Italian Political Cooperation

Syria is indeed famous in bringing great intellectuals, leaders, popes, writers and other genius to the world. Thus, Syria gave birth to 8 popes; namely Evareste ( 97-105 AD), Anicet (155-166), Theodore ( 642-649), Jean (685-686), Serge (687-701), Sisinius 15-1 through 4-2-708), Constantin (708-715), Gregoire ( 731-741). Syria is indeed proud to have 5 of its citizens as Emperors for Rome, Septimus Severus, ( 193-211), Caracalla, ( 211-217), Elagabalus ( 218-222), Alexandrus Severus, (222-236), Julius Philippus, (244-249), several judges including Ulpianus, Julius Paulus, and the famous architect, Apollodore.

Italy, in turn, has played an active role in support of Arabs’ just causes especially during its rotating presidency of the EU in 1996; Florence Declaration is a significant testimony to this effect. The declaration underlined the necessity of stability and security in the region and the necessity of the full Israeli withdrawal from all 1967 occupied Arab territories. On 7/5/2001, The Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi has called on Europe to pursue a more effective role in the efforts aiming at establishing peace in the Middle East. In a speech at the international political studies in Milano, the Italian president underlined that that Europe and the world can not replace each other in taking necessary difficult decisions to create peace, rather each have to help the other to reach this objective. President Ciampi stressed that the European Union should be a trust- worthy mediator citing, for example, that observers can be sent from the European Union in order to contribute to reinforcing the cease- fire between the Palestinians and Israel. The Italian President warned that without a durable and lasting peace for all, the Middle East will be gambling to be converted to what he called "the sick man" in the Mediterranean.

Earlier, the ex-Italian premier, Romano Prodi, who met late President Hafez Assad in Damascus on March 16, 1997 underlined Syria’s pivotal role as to realize peace in the region voicing Italy’s utmost interest in reviving and pushing the process of peace forward as to achieve just and comprehensive peace. Syria as usual did welcome a more active European role for the realization of just and comprehensive peace as it was stated in prodi’s two phone calls with the late President August 5, 1997, February 25, 1998. Before that on April 4th, 1991, the late president met then Premier, Giulio Andreotti, who said in an interview with Al-Hayat Daily on May 26, 2000, “ The wise policy of President Hafez Assad was able to spare Syria all unrest and crises which swept the region in the last decade; President Assad founded a system guaranteeing social and political stability, which is to be the main basis for modern economic development,”.

Later on February 22nd, 2000, the late President met Premier Massimo D'Alema for talks on Mideast peace process, bilateral relations and the importance of an active European role in the process. By then, in less than three months before his untimely demise, the late President did welcome ‘’ an active European role as to convince Israel to accept the UN and International Legitimacy resolution and to rescind its bids to flee peace demands”. On that very day, the Italian Premier stated ‘’ No peace could be realized in the region without Syria; peace demands the restoration of the occupied territories in accordance with UN resolutions,” voicing the EU concern over peace talks stalemate. Italy also played an active role in reaching to 1996 April’s Understanding, by then the late president met Italy’s Foreign Minister, Suzana Ennilie, thrice along with other European Ministers.

Under President Bashar Assad’s leadership, Syria’s relations with Italy were given further boost out of Syria’s strategic keenness to have good relations with EU countries and to have the Europeans more actively involved in the region issues and causes especially in the Mideast peace process. On October 23, 2000, President Bashar Assad received the visiting Italian Foreign Minister, Lamberto Dini, where the President noted to ‘’ the importance of an active positive influential role by the European community to make Israel respect and implement International Legitimacy resolutions,” On january 3, 2001, President Assad in a meeting with the visiting Italian minister of Interior, Anzo Bianco, welcomed an active European role as to implement UN resolutions pertaining to the region saying ‘’ an active European role for just and comprehensive peace is not in contradiction with international individual or collective efforts to push peace process forward,’’. Furthermore, President Bashar on October 23, 2001, called in a meeting with the then Italian Foreign Minister, Renato Ruggiero, on Europe to be ‘’ the cultural bridge between the US and East in general and the Arab countries in particular’’ hoping for an active European role at the international arena. On December 20, 2001, under the patronage of President Bashar Assad and his Italian counterpart, Ciampi an Exhibition “ Between Damascus and Rome” on the Syrian famous architect, Apollodore was opened. On January 9, 2002, President Assad, in a meeting with Italian parliamentarian delegation, noted to the importance of an active European role in solving Mideast dispute.

For his part, Foreign Minister and Deputy Premier, Farouk Sharaa made several successful visits to Italy and held intensive rounds of talks with his Italian counterparts within the frame of EU-Med Ministerial meetings and outside in search for an active European role in the region Affairs in the interest of the region peace, security and stability. Among them we mention Ministers Sharaa’- Dini meeting on June 5, 1998, and on November 22, 2000 when Mr. Dini stated that the European stance has become more understanding of the Palestinian condition, Arab right and more resentful over the Israeli use of military power in the occupied Palestinian territories. This is but a further indication of the wise, principled and objective policy pursued in Syria, a peace loving country, who wants but the real peace with dignity, honor, pride and that of surrender, shame and capitulation.


By

Mohammad Abdo Al-Ibrahim

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