MENL , Syria, in wake of the imposition of sanctions by the United States, has launched a campaign to improve relations with NATO allies in the Middle East region.
Syrian President Bashar Assad has scheduled visits to Greece and Turkey over the next few weeks. They will comprise the first such visits by a Syrian president to the two NATO allies.
Assad will arrive in Athens on Sunday for a three-day visit. He will meet with his Greek counterpart, Costis Stefanopoulos, and then receive a medal from parliament.
The Syrian president will meet a range of political figures and then hold a session with Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis. Greek officials said Assad will also hold a news conference before his departure on Wednesday.
