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Iran, Syria enjoy 'best' ties, agree to sign long-term cooperation agreement: FM Amir-Abdollahian

Saturday, 14 January 2023 6:43 PM [ Last Update: Saturday, 14 January 2023 6:51 PM ]

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (2nd L) and his Syrian counterpart Faisal Mekdad (2nd R) attend a joint press conference in Damascus on January 14, 2023.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says Iran and Syria enjoy the "best" level of bilateral relations and are resolute on further promotion of ties, particularly in the economic and trade fields.

"Various agreements have been signed between the two countries which are being implemented. In this trip, we agreed with the Syrian foreign minister on the extension of a document for long-term strategic cooperation between the two counties which will be signed in the near future," Amir-Abdollahian said in a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart Faisal Mekdad in Damascus on Saturday.

Pointing to his meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad earlier in the day, he noted that different mutual, strategic, regional and international issues were discussed, on which the two sides have common views.

He added that the two countries' top officials are determined to bolster relations, stressing the importance of making efforts to improve economic cooperation to the same level as the political ties.

"National sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries must be respected, and we will continue our diplomatic efforts to ... resolve the problems and differences between Syria and Turkey," the top Iranian diplomat said.

Iran’s close ties with Syria to promote stability, security in region: Amir-Abdollahian

Iran’s Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian says close cooperation with Syria will help promote stability and peace in the region.

The Syrian foreign minister, for his part, said he has always highlighted the significance of improving economic cooperation with Iran amid sanctions against the two countries.

Mekdad added that he would make his utmost efforts to eradicate terrorism.

The US has slapped rounds of crippling sanctions on Damascus. Parts of the restrictive measures have been imposed under the so-called Caesar Act, an American piece of legislation that purports to target the Assad government, despite sharp criticisms that the bans affect civilians.

The US also restored its sanctions against Tehran after unilaterally leaving the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), three years after its conclusion. The US, under former president Donald Trump, launched what it called a maximum pressure campaign against Iran at the time, targeting the Iranian nation with the “toughest ever” sanctions.

In response to a question about the Israeli regime's attacks on Syria, Mekdad said Damascus will respond to Tel Aviv in due time.