Syrian PA, Iranian Shoura Council chiefs stress strong ties

Speaker of the Syrian People's Assembly, Abdul Qader Qaddoura, and speaker of the Islamic Shoura Council in Iran, Sheikh Ali Akbar Nateq Nouri, on Tuesday discussed current situations in the region and Iranian-Syrian relations, particularly parliamentary relations and means of consolidating them.

Qaddoura briefed the Iranian delegation on the development of democratic life in Syria and stressed the depth of good relations between Syria and Iran, referring to Syria's position toward the Iranian revolution since its outset, SANA said.

Sheikh Nateq Nouri said Syria is a friendly country to Iran referring to Syria's support for Iran during the bad circumstances it witnessed in the past. He praised Syria's position in international circles. Nouri said that parliamentary relations as well as exchanging experiences among members of the two parliaments were discussed.

"We talked also about bilateral relations and different issues of common interest to the two countries as well as agreements signed between Syria and Iran," He added. "We agreed with Mr. Qaddoura that the two countries' parliaments ratify all the agreements the governments of Iran and Syria have reached." Nouri stressed the countries' similar views on different issues concerning the Islamic issues and the current situations in the occupied Palestinian territories and Lebanon.

Later in the day Syrian Premier al-Zou'bi met with Sheikh Nouri, and talks dealt with trade and economic cooperation between the two countries and means of strengthening and developing them. Earlier, Sheikh Nouri arrived Damascus leading an economic and parliamentary delegation on a three-day visit to Syria, SANA reported.