Syria’s Assad demands utilizing new prospects for enhancement of economic cooperation with Iran

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has called for utilization of new prospects of economic cooperation and trade ties with Iran, as the two Muslim countries explore ways for closer interaction in the fields of transportation sector, technical and engineering services, and stronger trade exchanges.

Assad made the remarks during a meeting with the visiting Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mehrdad Bazrpash in the capital Damascus on Wednesday.

According to Syria's official news agency SANA, the two officials discussed the “new aspects of economic cooperation” and means to strengthen ties in trade, investment, and energy.

President Assad emphasized that it is crucial to translate the depth of the political relationship between Syria and Iran into the economic domain. He also stated that both governments need to find ways to increase their growth.

Iran praises Syrian nation’s heroic sacrifices to defend independence, sovereignty

Iran lauds Syrian people’s heroic sacrifices to defend their independence as well as the sovereignty and territorial integrity of their nation.

For his part, Bazrpash delivered a message from Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi to his Syrian counterpart, expressing support for expansion of economic relations between Tehran and Damascus.

The Iranian minister also highlighted several economic fields, including investment, electricity, and energy, where Iranian-Syrian specialized committees will start working on in the near future.

Iran, Syria ink MoUs on transportation, trade, baking cooperation

Meanwhile, the governments of Iran and Syria have signed a series of memoranda of understanding and cooperation documents in various areas.

Bazrpash and Syrian Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade Mohammad Samer al-Khalil inked the agreements between the two countries in the transportation, tourism, trade, energy, cultural interaction, and banking fields.

Speaking on the sidelines of his meeting with the Syrian minister, Bazrpash underscored that even though Tehran and Damascus enjoy fairly close political relations, they need to further improve and enhance the volume of their mutual economic and commercial interactions.

The Iranian minister also pointed to the rich historical background and civilization of Iran and Syria, stating that two countries have been badly affected by cruel sanctions imposed by enemies and opponents of independence, stressing that both are standing on their feet to ensure progress and development.

Enhancement of trade relations and removal of existing obstacles for private sector businessmen were discussed by both sides, Bazrpash added, noting that the two countries also signed agreements in the field of investment in electricity and oil sector, and that joint working groups as well as technical teams were formed in order to implement the agreements as soon as possible.

Iran and Syria have maintained strong political relations for many years, with Tehran supporting Damascus in its fight against foreign-backed militancy since it broke out in the Arab country back in March 2011.

Iran has also strongly supported Syria's reconstruction efforts over the past few years following its military successes in defeating militant and terrorist groups and driving them out of regions throughout Syria.

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