Syrian leaders have pledged to introduce reforms to meet the demands of protesters, after days of violence in the southern city of Deraa. Officials promised to study the need for lifting the state of emergency, in place since 1963.
Mercosur and Syria are scheduled to sign an agreement to begin trade negotiations at the group’s next summit in Brazil, December 15, according to official sources in Damascus. Syrian president Bashar al-Assad earlier this year visited South America to promote trade and political links, particularly with Brazil that has a large Syrian community.
The European Union and Latinamerica could play a crucial role in helping solve the Middle East conflict said Syrian president Bashar al-Assad following an offer from Spanish president Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero to mediate in a Damascus-Israel dialogue.
Syrian president Bashar al-Assad wrapping up his Latinamerican tour of four countries, Cuba, Venezuela, Brazil and Argentina described the government of US President Barack Obama as ‘weak’ to ensure a peace process in the Middle East adding he was hopeful of negotiations sponsored by other countries such as Brazil and Turkey.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on his first-ever tour of Latin America proposed a free trade agreement with Mercosur after meeting Wednesday in Brasilia with his Brazilian counterpart Lula da Silva and giving a conference at the Foreign Ministry seat in Itamaraty Palace.