Iran, Syria FMs discuss bilateral ties, regional and intl. developments

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and his Syrian counterpart Faisal Mekdad have discussed the latest developments in bilateral relations and the region as well as some international issues.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and his Syrian counterpart Faisal Mekdad have discussed the latest developments in bilateral relations and the region as well as some international issues.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Iranian foreign minister offered his condolences to the people and government of Syria over the recent terrorist attack in Zeynabiyeh district of Damascus and also condemned Sunday’s terrorist act in Bajur, Pakistan. He further described these acts as a red flag raised by terrorist moves which must be taken seriously by all sides.

Amirabdollahian said the follow-up of the agreements between the presidents of the two countries during the recent visit of the Iranian president to Damascus is a priority for both sides. He added, “Over the past weeks, we have seen progress in implementing those agreements between the two countries in the economic, commercial and technological fields."

The top Iranian diplomat also referred to the strengthening of cooperation between the private and commercial sectors of Iran and Syria, the rise in the number of flights between the two countries, and the removal of commercial tariffs with the aim of boosting bilateral trade. Amirabdollahian also strongly condemned repeated attacks by the Zionist regime against Syria and the continuation of the raids, describing Tel Aviv as the main source of instability in the region.

The Iranian foreign minister then reaffirmed the Islamic Republic of Iran’s support for the Syrian people’s right to defend their independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad also said the Syrian people and government are pleased with the Iranian president’s visit to Syria and the further expansion of ties with Iran.

Mekdad added that the Syrians welcome active diplomacy with Iran. The Syrian foreign minister stressed that Damascus will continue standing by the Palestinian people in their struggle to determine their fate and achieve their rights. Mekdad further slammed the presence of US troops in northeast Syria as illegitimate and demanded their withdrawal from Syrian soil.