On Monday, President Bashar al-Assad received Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari and the accompanying delegation.
The meeting discussed the latest developments in Syria and Iraq and the regional and international situations.
President Assad stressed that the victories achieved against terrorism in Syria and Iraq are the same because they fight on the same field, where the blood of the heroes who achieved these victories in both countries is mingled.
President Assad stressed the importance of upgrading and consolidating Syrian-Iraqi relations. In spite of the security situation in both countries and in spite of all foreign attempts to prevent the development of the bilateral relations, there has always been coordination at different levels and a mutual understanding with regards to what is going on in the region and the world.
For his part, Jaafari pointed out that the regional and international circumstances about what is going on in Iraq and Syria are changing positively, due to the legitimacy of the cause that the two countries have defended. More action is required to achieve further victories and promote the upgrading of the two countries and the region in general.
Jaafari considered Syria to possesses a cultural and historical heritage and once they have triumphed over terrorism, they will have a far greater regional role than they have ever had before.
They also agreed on intensifying efforts to re-open the border crossings between the two countries in a way that contributes to the broadening of cooperation between them.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign and Expatriates Minister Walid al-Muallem, Presidential Political and Media Adviser Dr. Bouthaina Shaaban, Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister Faisal Mikdad, Assistant Director of the Department of the Arab Nation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Iraqi Ambassador in Damascus.
In the same context, Speaker of the People’s Assembly Hammoudeh Sabbagh discussed with the Iraqi Foreign Minister and the accompanying delegation means of boosting the parliamentary cooperation between the two countries and increasing coordination at international forums, describing relations between the two brotherly peoples as deep and strong.
Later, Prime Minister Imad Khamis also discussed with Jaafari the economic ties between the two states and the necessity of investing their natural, economic and tourist capabilities in all fields to boost common interests and serve the aspirations of the Syrian and Iraqi people.
This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
