Top Iranian MP in Syria in Pursuit of Closer Economic Ties
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf arrived in Syria on Tuesday for a visit that focuses on the expansion of economic cooperation between Tehran and Damascus.
Before flying to Damascus, Qalibaf said the visit was taking place at Syria’s formal invitation and was to feature talks with the country’s senior officials.
He said discussions on expansion of the bilateral economic cooperation was a main focus of his trip.
“Syria is the closest area to Iran that can provide access to the European markets and the Mediterranean, creating a lot of opportunities that favor industrial, agricultural, and tourism capacities as well as favoring cooperation in the area of oil,” the parliament speaker said.
“I hope that the visit serves as a good starting point for (further development of) the economic, political, and cultural relations,” Qalibaf said, adding that his trip was also to include meetings with Iranian and Syrian businessmen.
He also hailed the Arab country for successfully weathering the security threats that it faced from terror groups such as Daesh. “This country is now on the road to economic development,” the official added.
Upon arriving in the Syrian capital, Qalibaf attended a joint press conference with Speaker of the People’s Assembly of Syria Hamoudah Sabbaq, announcing that a comprehensive joint cooperation agreement was being devised by the countries and would be approved by their respective legislative bodies in due course.
The Iranian official again turned to the issue of Syria’s victory against terrorism, underlining how “this insecurity and the war of terror was waged with the Americans’ support.”
He, however, again underlined that the Arab country had put the dire situation behind and was now going through its era of reconstruction and economic advancement, Press TV reported.
“The resistance front considers Syria to be its frontline, and is naturally delightful about the Syrian people’s victory, which has, in turn, outraged the enemies,” Qalibaf said.
He also congratulated the Arab nation on holding a successful election that ushered in another seven-year term for President Bashar al-Assad.