Iran's officials vow commitment to Syria, ECO regional collaboration

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies + Al Mayadeen
3 Dec 2024 17:24

Advisor to Iran's Leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei, Ali Akbar Velayati, emphasizes his country's unwavering support for Syria, while Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi stresses regional unity, and economic cooperation through the ECO platform amid escalating challenges.

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In this January 30, 2020, photo, Ali Akbar Velayati, advisor to the Iranian Leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei, gives a press conference, in Tehran, Iran. (AP)

Ali Akbar Velayati, international affairs advisor to Iranian Leader Seyyed Ali Khamenei, stated on Tuesday that "the events in Syria are part of an exposed plan, a scheme designed to distort truth and propagate falsehood."

In a press statement, Velayati emphasized that "the United States, the Zionist entity, and all regional countries, whether Arab or non-Arab, must realize that Iran will steadfastly support the Syrian state until the end."

He also warned US President-elect Donald Trump, saying that "global conditions are now far more challenging than during his previous presidency," and that independent nations "will not succumb to his threats or intimidation."

Addressing the Resistance's victory in Lebanon over the Israeli occupation, Velayati highlighted that the Resistance "has provided Palestinians with unprecedented and unparalleled support in the history of Islamic unity."

He further noted that "the asymmetric war in Lebanon concluded with the Resistance's triumph," expressing hope that Gaza would similarly be liberated with the assistance of Axis of Resistance nations.

Commenting on Turkiye, Velayati expressed surprise that "Turkiye fell into the trap set by the United States and Israel," adding, "We had hoped that Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan would address Turkiye's foreign policy challenges effectively."

Iranian FM urges regional unity on Syria and economic cooperation

At the 28th ECO (Economic Cooperation Organization) Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Mashhad, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called for regional coordination and global action on the Syrian crisis. He urged member states to leverage ECO's potential for economic growth while addressing shared security concerns.

Aragchi explained, "The ECO Member States have been working together to foster regional cooperation in areas such as trade, transport, tourism, energy, food and agriculture, health, banking, customs, investment, disaster reduction, judicial and law enforcement, etc. However, our accumulated capacities for individual and regional development are huge. We need to firmly push for the full realization of this untapped potential."

Araghchi highlighted the overdue ECO Trade Agreement (ECOTA) and advocated for enhanced trade, digitalized financial systems, and an empowered ECO Trade and Development Bank to boost regional cooperation.

Emphasizing priority projects, the Iranian FM noted that "ECO may also need some paradigm shifts and re-designing of its architecture." He also listed Iran's efforts to expand intra-regional trade during its 2024 ECO chairmanship. Araghchi concluded by urging collective action for regional stability and sustainable development.