Foreign Ministers Weigh Plans to Broaden Iran-Syria Ties
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his Syrian counterpart Faisal Mekdad discussed ways for closer economic cooperation between the two countries and stronger coordination in the war on terrorism.
In his first foreign trip after taking office as Syria’s foreign minister, Mekdad arrived in Tehran on Sunday night and held a meeting with Zarif on Monday.
At the beginning of the meeting, Zarif paid tribute to the late foreign minister of Syria Walid al-Muallem, congratulated Mekdad on his new post, and expressed readiness for cooperation with the new Syrian foreign minister.
Zarif also expressed satisfaction with the continuation of the political process in Syria, reaffirmed Iran’s support for the Astana Process, and said he was positive about a recent conference on the return of Syrian refugees and displaced persons.
Expounding on the situation and the recent developments in the region, the Iranian top diplomat stressed the need for vigilance and consultations among Iran, Syria and other countries.
For his part, Mekdad conveyed condolences from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the Syrian people to the Iranian government and nation for the martyrdom of Iranian scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh and top commander Lt. General Qassem Soleimani, paying tribute to the two revered martyrs.
He also expressed gratitude to Iran for the constant support for Syria in the fight against terrorism and extremism.
Mekdad further denounced the US’ anomalous activities in the region that have escalated the tensions, saying they reveal that the Zionist regime’s interests have priority over the US’ interests in the region.
He also underlined the Syrian government’s determination to keep fighting against terrorism, saying mutual cooperation between Damascus and Tehran is significant in this approach and is considered as a basic step in restoration of peace and calm to Syria.
Elsewhere in the meeting, the two ministers hailed the broad and strategic relations between Iran and Syria, and weighed plans for the promotion of bilateral and multilateral economic relations.