Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Damascus, SANA_ President Bashar al-Assad received on Tuesday Iran’s first vice president Eshaq Jahangiri and the accompanying delegation in the presence of Prime Minister and a number of ministers.
Talks dealt with the outcomes of the meetings of the Syrian-Iranian High Joint Committee which yielded the signature of 11 agreements, including the long-term strategic economic cooperation agreement.
President al-Assad stressed that these agreements and projects of cooperation are of strategic dimension and constitute a solid economic basis that would contribute to enhancing the steadfastness of Syria and Iran in the face of the economic war waged on them by some Western countries.
President al-Assad affirmed the importance of intensifying joint efforts at this stage to thwart efforts of those countries that continuously work to weaken the two countries, control their independent decision and to break the will of their peoples after the failure of those countries to achieve that through backing terrorism.
For his part, Jahangiri pointed out that the visit of the Iranian delegation and holding meetings of the Joint Committee at this time carries a message to the Syrian people and the international community that, Iran, which has stood by Syria in its war against terrorism, will also be in the reconstruction phase.
He said that Syria was the front line in the war on terrorism and that the successes achieved in this area have contributed to preventing terrorism from spreading in other countries, despite the refusal of some Western countries to recognize that so far.
President al-Assad and Jahangiri affirmed that the strong and deep ties binding Syria and Iran have formed, over the past years, a powerful factor for the two countries’ peoples.
They stressed the importance of continuing work on developing these ties and overcoming all obstacles facing them.
The meeting was attended by ambassadors of the two countries.
In the same context, Speaker of the People’s Assembly Hammoudah Sabbagh met Mr. Jahangiri. During the meeting, the two sides affirmed that relation between Syria and Iran is deeply-rooted and old which is developing more during the current stage.
Sabbagh said that as both countries were together in the fight against terrorism and the victory over it, they will be partners in the reconstruction process and in the face of the blockade and the coercive measures imposed on them by the West.
Jahangiri, for his part, congratulated Syria, as leadership and people, for the victories achieved against terrorist organizations and foiling the big conspiracy in the region which was targeting the independent states.
Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign and Expatriates Minister Walid al-Moallem also discussed with Dr. Jahangiri and the accompanying delegation the strategic bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries and means of boosting them in all domains.
Al-Moallem thanked Iran for its support to Syria on all levels, pointing out that priority in rebuilding what has been destroyed by terrorism will be given to the friendly and allied states.
Dr. Jahangiri said that his country is determined to stand by Syria in all domains, affirming the need for boosting cooperation in the economic domain and the continued coordination on all levels to face the Zionist and Imperialist threats.
Gh.A.Hassoun/Mazen Eyon
