President Al-Assad: Syrian-Iranian relations are rich in content, experiences and visions

Damascus, (ST) – President Bashar Al-Assad, during expanded talks with Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi on Wednesday, said that the Syrian-Iranian relations are rich in content, rich in experiences and rich in visions they formed and because they were so, these relations maintained their stability and firm despite the severe political and security crises that hit in the Middle East.

President Al-Assad added: “This joint vision has proven to be based on correct and firm foundations, based on values, principles, beliefs, and most importantly based on the interests of peoples and on their sovereignty and independence.

President Al-Assad said that “the relationship between our two countries has been built on loyalty. When an unjust war was waged against Iran in 1980 for eight years, Syria did not hesitate in standing by Iran despite the threats at that time. And, when the war was launched against Syria twelve years ago, Iran did not hesitate in standing by Syria despite the threats.”

“Iran has not only provide all forms of political and economic support, rather it has offered blood, and blood is the most precious thing that a person can offer to his fellow human being,” President Al-Assad added.

President Al-Assad went on to say “Our common vision has differentiated between political reality and political gambling. We, both, didn’t gamble in politics. We did not put the fate of our countries and peoples in the hands of foreigners, rather, we bet on the victory of truth in the end and we won the bet. For all these reasons, your visit today is important and its importance stems from the depth of the relations between our two countries”.

President al-Assad concluded his speech by saying “once again, we welcome you, Mr. President, and the delegation accompanying you, to Syria. I hope that we will be able, during this visit, to achieve results that meet the aspirations of our peoples and achieve the interests of our two countries.

President Raisi, in turn, said: Syria’s government and people have gone through enormous difficulties, and today, we can say that Syria has overcome all these problems and achieved victory despite the threats and sanctions imposed against the country.

“I sincerely congratulate you on these great victories that you achieved as a Syrian government and people,”President Raisi added.

He went on to say: “The relations between the government and people of Syria and the government and people of Iran are  deep-rooted and sincere. These relations remained strong and deep and they witnessed great improvement.

President Raisi said: “We are currently witnessing many political developments and changes in the region and the world, but the relations between the two countries have not and will not be affected by these changes and developments, and they will not be affected  by the circumstances in the world and the region.”

The Iranian president added: “We have always declared that the Islamic Republic of Iran supports the resistance front, and since the victory of the Islamic Revolution, we have declared our support for resistance and now we also affirm that we support and stand by the resistance front.”

Iranian president continued: “Certainly you and your country have passed through difficult times, and I hope that we will witness new days that are full of joy and success for Syria. During the war we stood by your side and we will also stand by your side during this period, which is the period of reconstruction. We affirm the expansion of relations between the two countries in terms of political, economic, security and other fields” President Raisi added.

President Raisi said: “We have no doubt that you can remove the effects of the war and rebuild what has been  destroyed in Syria, and we will witness the return of the Syrian people and refugees to their country, and certainly the conditions will be in the interest of the Syrian government and people as well as in the interest of the region.”

The Iranian president concluded his speech by saying: “God have mercy on the souls of the martyrs of the axis of resistance, and the martyrs of Syria, and I wish health and a speedy recovery for those injured in the war.

Presidents Al-Assad and Raisi signed a memorandum of understanding for a comprehensive long-term strategic cooperation plan between the two countries.

Presidents Al-Assad and Raisi discussed bilateral relations in various fields and ways to develop them. The talks also dealt with developments in the Middle East region, with the impacts of of global developments on the region, and with the need to join efforts to benefit from these developments to serve the interests of the two countries and the peoples of the region.

The Iranian president arrived this morning at Damascus International Airport, accompanied by a large political and economic ministerial delegation.

An official reception ceremony was held for the Iranian President upon his arrival at the People’s Palace, where the national anthems of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Syrian Arab Republic were played, after which the guard of honor was reviewed, and Presidents Bashar Al-Assad and Ibrahim Raisi shook hands with the members of the two official delegations.

Raghda Sawas