Mar 06, 2008
Damascus, (SANA)- President Bashar al-Assad discussed with Iranian First vice President Dr. Parviz Davoudi on Thursday the bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and ways of further developing them in economic, trade and cultural fields.
President Assad was briefed by Dr. Davoudi on the outcomes of the meetings of the Syrian-Iranian Higher Committee and the agreements reached between the two countries.
The latest developments in the region, particularly the situations in the occupied Palestinian territories were also reviewed in the meeting.
Attending the meeting were Prime Minister Mohammad Naji Ottri, the delegation accompanying Dr. Davoudi, the Syrian ambassador in Tehran and the Iranian ambassador in Damascus.
Later, vice President Farouk al-Shara met his Iranian counterpart and the accompanying delegation in the presence of Premier Ottri, Assistant vice President Mohammad Nassif, the Syrian ambassador in Tehran and the Iranian ambassador in Damascus.
The meetings of the Syrian-Iranian Higher Committee in its 10th Session constitute a further step to the bilateral economic cooperation which helped increase the volume joint investments in Syria to reach USD 1,5 billion, including USD 950 million in the industrial field, mainly in car manufacturing and cement.
The two countries are heading for the implementation of the preferential trade agreement which was signed in 2006. They also agreed on speeding up the process of signing the free zone agreement to increase trade exchange.
The Syrian-Iranian Higher Committee met last time in March 2007 in Tehran, co-chaired by Premier Ottri and vice President Davoudi. Several agreements, memos of understanding and executive programs in the areas of agriculture, housing, medical researches and joint investments were signed at the time.
Dr. Davoudi visited Damascus on March 2007 where he attended the official inauguration of the first stage of Sham Factory for Car Manufacturing.
Ahmad Fathi ZAHRA / Khaleda
