Shamkhani Affirms Iran’s Full Support for Syria in All Domains

 TEHRAN, (ST)- Prime Minister Imad Khamis and Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani on Tuesday discussed the latest developments in the region and in Syria and focused on boosting political and economic ties.

Khamis reviewed the latest developments on ground in Syria and the victories achieved in the battle with takfiri terrorists organizations. He stressed the need to continue political efforts as to solve the crisis in Syria.

The Premier reiterated that reaching a lasting solution and attaining security and stability in Syria depends on the shifts in the stances of some countries on supporting terrorism and in effective and true confrontation of this threat.   

He hailed Iran’s  support for the Syrian people and government, noting that cooperation between the two countries in all fields provides the suitable ground to achieve the aspirations of the peoples of both countries.

On his part, Shamkhani renewed his country’s full support for Syria in all domains and for all political initiatives that embody the real aspirations of the Syrian people.

Inclusive efforts to liberate terrorist-held Syrian areas  and restore security and stability nationwide in parallel with efforts to hold intra-Syrian dialogue to achieve settlement can guarantee successes in managing the ongoing crisis in Syria,” Shamkhani said.

He warned against the possibility of the enemy’s exploiting of the cessation of hostilities and political dialogue as a strategic opportunity to revive the armed groups and help them rebuild their military and financial and human abilities in order to resume terrorist attacks.

Shamkhani pointed out that Iran welcomes all political initiatives based on the principle of defending the territorial integrity and safety of the Syrian land and on maintaining the sovereignty and independence of the Syrian state.

Syria, Iran Sign Five Contracts on  Economic Cooperation

Syria and Iran on Tuesday signed five contracts based on the economic cooperation agreements that were signed  a year ago. The contracts covered agriculture, livestock, industry, oil and communications.

The deals were signed for the Syria side by Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade Adib Mayyaleh and by Ali Tayyeb, Iran’s Minister of Economic and Financial Affairs for the Iranian side

Prime Minister Imad Khamis and Iran’s First Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri attended the signing ceremony.

 In a joint statement with Jahangiri following the signing of the contracts, Khamis said the deals signed today form a strong base for greater cooperation between Syria and Iran in the areas of industry, investment, the Iranian companies’ participation in investment projects in Syria, building factories and reconstruction in Syria.

Khamis pointed out that the two sides agreed on reactivating joint cooperation committees and on holding continuous coordination and follow up meetings . He said talks with the Iranian side were “good and constructive, clarifying that the Syrian delegation conveyed to the Iranian side the Syrian government’s vision for economic, industrial, trade and services cooperation in the coming era.

The premier highly appreciated the big role being played by Iran in support for Syria’s efforts to fight terrorism and to help the Syrians’ withstand the repercussions of the crisis.

He reiterated that Syria will continue to defend the Syrian state against terrorism and all other evil schemes and will press ahead with reconstruction.

Credit Line

On his part, Jahangiri stressed the need to have consultations between the two sides as to launch joint projects and enhance fruitful economic cooperation.

He said the Iranian private sector and trade companies have had the opportunity to start working again in Syria and to send the goods Syria needs.

He pointed out that a credit line was specialized to help businessmen carry out investments via this line and to send their goods to Syria.

The Iranian official went on to say that Syria and Iran have laid strong bases for distinguished bilateral ties, stressing that his country will keep supporting Syria in the face of the heinous terrorist war waged against the country with the support of some western and regional parties.

He congratulated the Syrian people and government  on liberating the city of Aleppo from terrorism, noting that victories achieved in Syria were the result of the bravery of the Syrian Army, the steadfastness of the Syrian people and the continuous coordination with allies.

Syrian-Iranian Energy Cooperation Discussed

Later on Tuesday, Khamis and Jahangiri discussed ways to boost economic and trade cooperation between Syria and Iran.

Later in the day, Prime Minister Imad Khamis held talks with the Iranian Minister of Energy Hamid Chitchian on enhancing cooperation as to benefit from the Iranian energy capabilities in meeting the need of the Syrian sectors of energy.

Khamis invited the Iranian public and private companies to contribute to the process of reconstruction in Syria.

On his part, the Iranian minister affirmed the readiness of the Iranian government to make investments in the domain of energy and to encourage the public and private sectors to carry out projects in this area, urging signing a long-term  agreement in the energy field.

 Hamda Mustafa