President of Austria Heinz Fischer arrived in Damascus on Sunday on a two-day official visit. He was received at Damascus International Airport by Vice President Farouk al-Shara.

President Fischer, who is accompanied during this visit by Austrian Minister of Defense Norbert Darabos, was greeted by Minister of Defense General Hassan Tourkmani and a number of minister and foreign ministry officials. In a short meeting held afterwards at the airport, al-Shara welcomed President Fischer and the accompanying delegation and wished them a pleasant stay in Syria.

President Fischer gave a statement upon arrival, saying that he is glad to be visiting Syria and meeting President Bashar al-Assad. He pointed out that all issues will be discussed during his meeting with President al-Assad, and that he will explain Austria’s and the European Union’s position regarding these issues.

Later, President Fischer and the accompanying Delegation headed to al-Quneitra governorate to inspect the Austrian detachment working in Golan as part of the UNDOF peace-keeping forces.

President Bashar al-Assad will meet President Fischer on Monday and hold official talks regarding the regional and international situation, in addition to bilateral relations between the two countries and Syria’s appreciation of the Austrian detachment’s role in the occupied Syrian Golan during the past years.

H. Sabbagh, Mazen

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