Brussels, 17/07/2000 (Agence Europe) - The EU's High Representative for Cfsp, Javier Solana addressed his sincere congratulations to the success of Bachar Al assad on the occasion of his taking office at President of the Arab Republic of Syria. "In your previous role, your action in favour of modernisation was marked by increased cooperation between Syria and the European Union", Mr. Solana observes in his message, continuing: "I am certain that out joint efforts will enable us to tighten links between the Union and your country, which also plays an important role in the Barcelona Process". And adds: "Confident in your determination to pursue the peace efforts engaged by President Hfez Al Assad, I can only assure you of my readiness top back the implementation of this strategic choice made in Madrid. I hope that our future personal relations will contribute to this".