Damascus, (SANA) – President Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday stated that Syrian-French dialogue helps find suitable solutions to regional problems.

During a meeting with Chairman of the French-Syrian Parliamentary Friendship Group at the French Senate Philippe Marini, President al-Assad clarified Syria's viewpoint regarding the peace process and France's potential role in it.

The two sides also discussed the role of the French-Syrian Parliamentary Friendship Group in bolstering relations between the two peoples, in addition to exchanging viewpoints regarding the future of the Union for the Mediterranean project.

For his part, Senator Marini affirmed that President al-Assad's recent visit to France opened up possibilities for developing Syrian-French relation in all fields and affirmed Syria's pivotal regional role.

The meeting was attended by President of the Syrian-French Parliamentary Friendship Association at the People's Assembly and the delegation accompanying Senator Marini.

Mr. Marini told SANA in a statement that the meeting focused on ways of further developing the bilateral relations between the two countries in the economic and cultural fields as well as the latest international developments and the Middle East peace process.

He pointed out that the latest summit meeting between Presidents al-Assad and Nicolas Sarkozy had opened new and wide horizons for the bilateral relations.

Mr. Marini stressed necessity of advancing the peace process in the region forward, pointing out to France 's role in this regard.

Earlier, Mr. Marini discussed with Chairman of the Syrian Chambers of Commerce in Syria Dr. Rateb al-Shallah the existing cooperation between Syria and France, particularly in the economic and trade fields.

The two sides also discussed how to benefit from the French advanced technologies in the field of systems and technologies of bourse (stock market) and transferring them to Syria as well as the cooperation in the field of education, training, banks, infrastructure, ports, water treatment and transport.

Mr. Marini expressed his country's hope to further enhance its economic and trade ties with Syria.

The recent summit between President al-Assad and President Nicolas Sarkozy at the Elysee Palace called for cooperation between Syria and France in the fields of petroleum, electric energy, renewable and alternative energy, aerial transport, and supporting training and rehabilitation in general administration.

Talks during the Summit also dealt with the peace process in the Middle East,  including the indirect negotiations on the Syrian track via Turkish mediation, based on UN relevant resolutions to reach the just and comprehensive peace in the region.

In this regard, the French President will visit Syria in the first half of next September.

The two sides also agreed on a work plan on launching bilateral relations, which primarily aims to bolster political, economic and cultural ties between the two countries.

H. Sabbagh / Mazen / Ahmad Fathi ZAHRA