Visiting EU Mideast peace envoy Marc Otte and Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk Al Shara in Damascus Sunday held talks on the latest developments in Mideast peace process. 

A Syrian source noted that the talks covered the latest regional developments and endeavors to free the Middle East from weapons of mass destruction within the framework of the United Nations.

The talks focused on the need to end the Israeli occupation of the Golan Heights in accordance with UN resolutions and through cooperation with Europe to achieve just and comprehensive peace in the region.

Speaking to reporters, Otte noted that he and Shara also discussed a partnership agreement between Syria and the European Union (EU) and the resumption of peace talks with Israel.

The EU will help Syria by all means it can to resume the Syrian-Israeli negotiations, the EU envoy added.

During the talks, Shara told Otte that Syria is committed to the Arab peace initiative approved by the Arab summit in Beirut.

He, meanwhile, underlined the importance of Syrian-European ties and Europe's role in the Middle East peace process.

Otte's visit to Syria comes as part of a regional tour that includes Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.

(Xinhua News Agency January 12, 2004)