President Assad Suggests in Meeting With Iranian Delegation:
Post-War Roadmap for Cooperation With Iran
DAMASCUS (Dispatches) -- Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development Rostam Qasemi on Wednesday met Syrian President Bashar al-Assad who stressed the importance of working out a new roadmap in line with the strategic interests of the two countries and linking their trade sectors.
Qasemi was later to meet Syrian Prime Minister Hussein Arnous, Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad, and Central Bank Governor Muhammad Issam Hazima, as well as Syrian ministers of economy, transport, labor and housing.
Earlier in the day, the Iranian minister said with the war almost over in Syria, Tehran and Damascus are determined to reach real trade agreements and expand their economic relations.
He made the remarks upon arriving in Damascus at the head of a high-ranking economic and trade delegation, where he was welcomed by Syria’s Economy and Trade Minister Muhammad Samer al-Khalil at Damascus International Airport.
“The end of the war in Syria is the beginning of a new era of economic relations between the two countries, especially given that Iran and Syria have been beside one another throughout the era of fighting international terrorism,” Qasemi said.
During his three-day visit, the Syrian industry, reconstruction, and infrastructure will be the main focus of bilateral talks.
Khalil hailed the inseparable ties between the two nations and expressed gratitude for the sacrifices made by the zealous Iranian youth on his country’s soil.
“In Syria, we want extensive cooperation with Iran,” the Syrian minister stated.
“We hope that the meetings of Mr. Qasemi and his accompanying delegation with the Syrian officials will lead to agreements aimed at reaching economic and trade partnerships between the two sides,” he added.
Qasemi was later to meet Syrian Prime Minister Hussein Arnous, Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad, and Central Bank Governor Muhammad Issam Hazima, as well as Syrian ministers of economy, transport, labor and housing.
Earlier in the day, the Iranian minister said with the war almost over in Syria, Tehran and Damascus are determined to reach real trade agreements and expand their economic relations.
He made the remarks upon arriving in Damascus at the head of a high-ranking economic and trade delegation, where he was welcomed by Syria’s Economy and Trade Minister Muhammad Samer al-Khalil at Damascus International Airport.
“The end of the war in Syria is the beginning of a new era of economic relations between the two countries, especially given that Iran and Syria have been beside one another throughout the era of fighting international terrorism,” Qasemi said.
During his three-day visit, the Syrian industry, reconstruction, and infrastructure will be the main focus of bilateral talks.
Khalil hailed the inseparable ties between the two nations and expressed gratitude for the sacrifices made by the zealous Iranian youth on his country’s soil.
“In Syria, we want extensive cooperation with Iran,” the Syrian minister stated.
“We hope that the meetings of Mr. Qasemi and his accompanying delegation with the Syrian officials will lead to agreements aimed at reaching economic and trade partnerships between the two sides,” he added.
Last month, Syria’s Minister of Industry Ziyad Sabbagh invited Iranian companies and advanced industries to invest in the Arab country’s process of reconstruction and recovery from the Western-sponsored war on Syria, which began in 2011.
The Syrian minister called on Iranian companies to “have partnership and cooperation with the public and private sectors in the Syrian Arab Republic and use the benefits provided by the law, which gives a great opportunity for investment in Syria” to further promote bilateral ties.
Days later, Iran’s vice president for parliamentary affairs, Muhammad Husseini, said Tehran was ready to implement reconstruction projects in Syria.