Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Al-Moallem (R) and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana attend a press conference in Damascus, capital of Syria, Aug. 30, 2009. Solana arrived in Damascus on Sunday, which is his third visit to Syria in this year.(Xinhua/Gong Zhenxi) Photo Gallery>>>

    DAMASCUS, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday stressed that Syria has direct interest in Iraq's security and stability, the Syrian official news agency SANA reported.

    Assad made the remarks during talks with visiting EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana in which both sides discussed on the Middle East peace process, Syrian-EU ties and other key regional issues.

    Assad reaffirmed Syria's efforts to achieve just and comprehensive peace in the region based on international legitimate resolutions, the report said.

    The two sides also discussed the latest development in the Middle East, the efforts to revive the peace process as well as the Iraqi situation.

    Solana told reporters that he had "good talks" with Assad, adding that the partnership agreement between Syria and the EU will be signed by the end of this year.

    Meanwhile, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Al-Moallem denied that Syria works as a "mediator" between Iran and the West; however, he said "Syria indeed delivers some messages."

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Al-Moallem (R) and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana attend a press conference in Damascus, capital of Syria, Aug. 30, 2009. Solana arrived in Damascus on Sunday, which is his third visit to Syria in this year.(Xinhua/Gong Zhenxi) Photo Gallery>>>

    Commenting on Iraq's submitting of a request to the UN Security Council for the formation of a tribunal to investigate the recent Baghdad bombings and to put those involved on trial, Moallem said it "was an Iraqi issue."

    "We would like to see action taken out on all crimes the Iraqi people have been affected with since the occupation of its lands," he said.

    On Syrian-Iraqi relations, Moallem said his country supports and stands by Iraq, but he said "everybody knows who compromised these relations."

    Iraq recalled its ambassador to Syria last Tuesday and demanded the Syrian government to hand over senior Baath party members for their alleged role in the recent deadly truck bombings in Baghdad.

    As a response to Iraq's recall of its ambassador to Syria, Syria decided to recall its ambassador to Iraq a few hours after Baghdad announced the decision.

    Solana arrived in Damascus on Sunday, which is his third visit to Syria in this year.