Damascus, (SANA)-President Bashar al-Assad received on Sunday a verbal message from Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on the Syrian-Venezuelan distinguished relations.

The message was conveyed by the Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro Moros.

The talks during the meeting dealt with the agreements signed between Syria and Venezuela and the importance of laying out effective mechanisms to put them into force as soon as possible.

The agreements include cooperation in the fields of agricultural exchange, energy, air transport and media.

The talks also touched upon other topics that would enhance trade and economic exchange in a way that reflects the two countries' leaderships will.

President al-Assad stressed that what has been agreed upon during President Chavez's latest visit to Syria should constitute a work plan for executive commissions and institutions in both countries.

He also stressed Syria's firm will to remove obstacles in the face of carrying out these agreements.

For his part, Maduro Moros expressed his country's relief over the solid ties between Syria and Venezuela, mainly in the political and economic domains.

He also stressed that President Chavez instructed the Venezuelan government to show flexibility in finding the appropriate forms to enhance cooperation with Syria in all fields.

The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem, Presidential Political and Media Advisor Bouthaina Shaaban and Deputy Foreign Minister Dr. Fayssal Mikdad.

In the same context, Prime Minister Mohammad Naji Otri discussed with the Venezuelan Foreign Minister prospects of bilateral cooperation in the economic, development, cultural, media and trade domains.

The two sides also discussed enhancing the role of businessmen and investors, holding economic exhibitions, building a partnership basis for the economic, banking and investment domains, as well as the economic, health and educational sectors.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Foreign Minister Dr.Fayssal Mikdad, a number of assistant ministers and director-generals, as well as the official delegation accompanying the Venezuelan Foreign Minister. 

President al-Assad and President Chavez held talks on developing bilateral relations as well as the regional and international developments during the Venezuelan President's visit to Syria in September. Syria and Venezuela signed 7 agreements and memos of understanding on mutual cooperation in agriculture, irrigation, trade and economy as well as in health and medical sciences, culture, sports and environment protection. An agreement on ending entry visa requirements for diplomatic, official and service passport holders was also signed.

Manal Ismael/Ghossoun