Publish Date: 17 January 2017 - 15:49

TEHRAN, Jan. 17 (MNA) – Syrian Prime Minister Imad Khamis has said Iran and Syria had been fighting terrorism hand in hand which provides an example of good cooperation to the Middle East.

Mr. Khamis was speaking in a joint press conference on Tuesday along with Vice President Is'hagh Jahangiri. He hailed Iran’s contribution and lavish support for Assad in fighting Takfirism and terrorism who had been supported by the major Arab countries in the region; “we extend gratitude to Iran’s government as well as offer condolences for the death of Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani, a great leader and Revolutionary figure; we appreciate Iran’s role in helping Syria tackle the plight of terrorism,” he told the press conference. “Iran’s contribution to Syrian situation necessitates coordination in higher levels and the present visit seeks to address the same issue: to coordinate efforts by both sides to bring an organization to economy and rebuild a country hit by the war.”

He shared Jahangiri’s view that Iran and Syria had enjoyed historical cordial relations since the time of late Hafiz al-Assad; “with the leadership by Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and Mr. Rouhani as president, we look forward to having the same cordiality,” he added.

Khamis highlighted economic ties still nascent with Iran; “we believe today’s meeting and agreements will contribute to ongoing improving relations in terms of trade and industrial relations; the agreements will bring Iranian investors and enterprisers to Syrian highly untapped markets; a joint committee will also watch the developments in implementation of agreements,” he told the press.

“Syria will continue to fight terrorism and in parallel with that, we will give hands in rebuilding our economy, and on this, we will welcome Iran’s contribution,” Mr. Khamis concluded.

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