Syrian President Bashar al-Assad described relations with Iraq as solid and historic, praising the Iraqi people and their leadership for standing by Syria in the most difficult periods.
Al-Assad spoke during a press conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia’a al-Sudani, on Sunday, during the latter’s visit to Damascus.
The Syrian President considered that the Iraqi Prime Minister’s visit to Damascus is “an opportunity to build an institutional relationship and achieve a major leap in bilateral cooperation,” stressing that Syria and Iraq will discuss ways to strengthen economic relations, which will reflect on the two countries and ease the blockade imposed on Syria.
The Syrian president pointed out that the danger of drugs is no less than the danger of terrorism, stressing that “Iraq has provided the most precious thing it can offer in confronting terrorist organizations.”
Al-Sudani said that security and stability are factors that push Iraq and Syria to enhance cooperation between them, stressing Baghdad’s position in support of Damascus in extending its control over all its lands.
Al-Sudani added that “any enclave outside the control of the Syrian government may turn into a threat to the stability of the region,” calling for more coordination between the security services of the two countries, especially at the border areas.
He continued, “We agreed with the Syrian officials on mechanisms for tracking and follow-up with regard to drug control.”
The media office of the Iraqi Prime Minister stated, in a statement published by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), that “Al-Sudani started on Sunday an official visit to the Syrian Arab Republic, during which he will discuss various aspects of bilateral relations and issues of common concern.”
Al-Sudani arrived in Syria at the head of a delegation that included Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Fouad Hussein, Minister of Trade Atheer Salman, and Lieutenant General Qais Rahima, Deputy Commander of Joint Operations.
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2023-07-16 12:00:47