Syrian President Bashar al-Assad welcomed Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani on Sunday, marking the first official visit to Syria by an Iraqi premier since the outbreak of the Syrian war in 2011.
Assad highlighted the longstanding relationship between Syria and Iraq, emphasizing the shared history and the support of the Iraqi people during Syria’s suffering.
During a joint press conference with the Iraqi Prime Minister, President al-Assad commended Iraq for standing alongside Syria in various forums and rejecting baseless allegations against Syria.
The Syrian president acknowledged Iraq’s assistance during the earthquake crisis and praised the Iraqi army and the Popular Mobilization Forces for their fight against terrorism. “We are facing several challenges, first and foremost that of terrorism,” Assad later said at a joint news conference with Sudani.
He discussed the Arab situation and regional challenges with Prime Minister al-Sudani, noting that the Arab situation is currently in a positive phase. They also explored ways to strengthen economic relations between Iraq and Syria, as well as collaborate on combating drug-related issues.
President al-Assad expressed confidence that Prime Minister al-Sudani’s visit would lead to a significant and practical advancement in their bilateral relationship.
In turn, Prime Minister al-Sudani emphasized the interdependence and common ties between Iraq and Syria, stressing the importance of coordination to confront the challenges faced by both countries.
Al-Sudani highlighted the significance of security and stability in fostering further interdependence between Iraq and Syria. He expressed Iraq’s unwavering support for Syria and praised the resilience of the Syrian people in the face of severe terrorist attacks.
Al-Sudani underlined the shared challenges between Iraq and Syria, mentioning Iraq’s efforts to restore Syria’s membership in the Arab League.
The Iraqi Prime Minister reaffirmed Iraq’s steadfast stance against the Zionist occupation and emphasized his country’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause. He also denounced any violations against sanctities and religious symbols.
Al-Sudani drew attention to the water scarcity challenges faced by Iraq and Syria, emphasizing the need for cooperation to ensure fair distribution of water resources.
Regarding drug-related issues, Al-Sudani discussed the agreement to establish coordination mechanisms to combat drug trafficking. He also called on countries to repatriate their nationals from the Al-Hol camp due to the serious repercussions it poses to the region.
Al-Sudani was received with an official ceremony at the People’s Palace in Damascus, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, Trade Minister Atheer Salman, and Lieutenant General Qais Rahima, Commander of Joint Operations.
Both leaders highlighted the strong fraternal and historical ties that unite Iraq and Syria, emphasizing their commitment to supporting each other in all circumstances. They expressed their desire to further develop these relations at both the official and popular levels, considering this visit as an opportunity to establish an institutional relationship and achieve significant progress in bilateral cooperation.
It is worth noting that Sudani’s visit coincides with other countries, including Saudi Arabia, rebuilding relations with Damascus after years of tensions.
Source: Al-Manar
