PM speaks about sealed deals with Iran
DAMASCUS,(ST)_Prime Minister, Dr.Wael al-Halqi, has described the government’s delegation’s visit to Iran as ‘important and fruitful’ and boosts joint cooperation in all sectors.
In Tuesday-cabinet’s meeting, al-Halqi cited significance of talks held with the Iranian officials who stressed Iran’s support for the Syrian people’s steadfastness and the political plan outlined by President Bashar al-Assad to resolve Syria crisis.
The PM called on ministers to adopt urgent procedures to translate the endorsed plan into ground, SANA reported.
As for local issues, the premier asked the ministers to prepare annual contracts for employing martyrs’ families with the program of employing youths.
Moreover, the cabinet reviewed economic and services issues related to ensuring citizens’ basic needs (fuel, power, and gas).
News conference
After the cabinet’s meeting, al-Halqi told reporters that today’s session focused on results of the government delegation’s visit to Iran, adding: “Our relation with Iran is ‘strategic and historic’ and we seek to develop it in economic and services sectors.”
Regarding results of the visit, the premier said that Syria and Iran have sealed deals in fields of services and power estimated at USD500mln. This amount is part of a USD 1bn-credit loan.
The two countries signed a deal to import qualitative medicines and medical equipment valued at USD 200 mln.
Other agreements were signed to set up five grinders in Syrian provinces, exporting Syrian products to Iran in exchange for Iranian products, and importing petroleum products, flour and potatoes from Iran to cover local needs.
Initially, Syria is to import 100.000 tons of flour.
The PM noted that Syria-Iran cooperation in financial and banking sector helps support Syrian economy and the Syrian Pound, noting that Iran is to put a deposit in the Central Bank of Syria to help in this field.
He underscored that the current reserves of foreign currency are good and that the deposit will have positive effects on local economy and the SP exchange rates.
Optimistically, al-Halqi said that Syria would surpass the crisis and the government would work tirelessly to back the Syrian people’s steadfastness and the Syrian Arab Army that exerts every possible effort to restore stability and security across Syria.
“Government is serious in implementing the political plan to solve the crisis in Syria,” the PM said.
He concluded: “We are open to all political forces including opposition inside and outside Syria and misled armed people if they abandon their arms and take part in dialogue to share in building new democratic Syria.”
BasmaQaddour