Iranian President concludes three-day visit to Damascus
Syria-Iran, Politics, 5/15/1999

Iranian President Muhammad Khatami left Damascus on Saturday following a three-day visit to Damascus. At Damascus airport, he was seen off by President Hafez al-Assad and high-ranking Syrian officials.

Earlier, Syrian President Hafez al-Assad and Iranian President Muhammad Khatami met in a closed-door meeting held at the Damascus al-Chaab palace, during which they completed discussions on international, regional, Arab and Islamic topics and bilateral relations and cooperation between Syria and Iran.

The two presidents expressed their full satisfaction with results attained by Syrian - Iranian talks held in Damascus in an atmosphere of understanding and the desire to develop and strengthen relations between the two countries for the interests of their two peoples and the interests of Arabs and Muslims and their national cause.

The two presidents considered the agreements reached in Damascus as a new practical phase to expand and strengthen joint cooperation between the two sides. They stressed joint interest to open new horizons of joint cooperation.

Talks between the two presidents asserted the identical Syrian-Iranian viewpoints on most important current issues, conditions in the region and the world as well as their common desire to work for increasing fostering of bilateral and Arab-Iranian relations in the common interest of all sides which reject foreign hegemony, foreign occupation and advance the national interests of the peoples of the region.

On Friday at the al-Chaab Presidential palace in Damascus, President Hafez al-Assad and Iranian President Muhammad Khatami held a meeting. The two leaders continued discussions they had already started on Thursday, pertinent to international and regional conditions, Arab-Iranian relations and cooperation between the two countries.

The two presidents were briefed on the results of talks held between the Syrian and Iranian negotiating delegations. President Khatami and President al-Assad expressed their satisfaction with the results and the positive spirit of cooperation which prevailed during these talks.

Earlier in the day, a round of talks was held between the Syrian and Iranian delegations at al-Chaab palace. On the Syrian side the meeting was attended by the prime minister, the deputy premier for economic affairs, the ministers of supply, economy and finance, industry and state for planning.

The two sides reviewed the results of talks by the Syrian and Iranian sides concerning the agreements and memorandums of understanding on cooperation in the areas of customs, transport, tourism, health and sport as well as projects proposed for implementation, including the cement factory and cereals silos.

The two sides expressed satisfaction over the reached agreements and their joint keenness to follow up discussions on future of cooperation in various fields. On the other hand, President Hafez al-Assad and President Khatami on Friday performed Friday's prayer at President Hafez al-Assad's mosque in Damascus.

Previous Stories:
  Al-Assad - Khatami talks a new page in the chapter of Arab-Iranian relations   (5/14/1999)
  Al-Sharaa: Relations between Syria and Iran are strong   (5/14/1999)
  Syrian-Iranian summit   (5/14/1999)

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