Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad held on Friday a session of talks with his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi prior to his departure from Damascus.

In the wake of their talks, the two Presidents issued a joint statement stressing the necessity of respecting national sovereignty and independence and preserving the territorial integrity of the two countries in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter.

The statement highlighted that Al-Assad and Raisi held in-depth discussions that focused on ways to develop and strengthen bilateral relations.

It added that the Syrian and Iranian Presidents discussed strengthening relations on the basis of fraternal and strategic relations between the two countries, affirming the continuation of joint cooperation in order "to eliminate all terrorist groups once and for all."

The memorandum includes cooperation agreements regarding railway construction, agriculture, oil, and mutual recognition of maritime certificates. The signing of the MoU took place during #Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad's reception of his #Iranian counterpart in #Damascus. pic.twitter.com/DWndPz7by5

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) May 3, 2023

The two sides further strongly condemned the Israeli continuous aggressions on Syria, and deemed them a destabilizing factor in the region, assuring that Damascus has the legitimate right to respond to these violations in an appropriate manner, as per the statement.

The two countries denounced "Israel's" occupation of the Syrian Golan and its violation of Security Council Resolution 497 of 1981, which demands "Israel" rescind its decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction, and administration in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights.

They also denounced US recognition of "Israel's" annexation of Syrian territory which is considered a clear violation of the UN Charter, and condemned all forms of illegal presence of military forces on the territory of Syria, as per the joint statement.

Israeli occupation primary cause of all conflicts

The two sides strongly condemned the US looting of Syria's resources, calling for a decisive stance from the international community in this regard, the statement read, adding that they also decried the coercive, unilateral, and draconian sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union on Iran and Syria.

Meanwhile, the Iranian side reiterated its support for the Syrian government and people and its solidarity with them in the wake of the recent devastating earthquake that hit Syria.

In the same context, the two sides denounced the continuation of the unjust blockade and illegal sanctions by Western countries against the Syrian people in post-earthquake circumstances and stressed the need to immediately break this blockade in order to facilitate the delivery of international aid for the reconstruction of the quake-stricken areas.

Touching on the rapid developments in the region, the two sides hailed the Chinese-brokered Iranian-Saudi agreement, labeling it an important step towards more positive developments that serve stability in the region.

They also stressed the significance of internal regional collaboration among regional powers in order to defeat obstacles and guarantee security, prosperity, and peace in the region, as per the joint statement.

The two sides hailed active efforts to return Syrian refugees to their country and requested assistance from the international community in order to help provide the necessary conditions for their return.

Iran and Syria affirmed that the Israeli occupation is the primary cause of all conflicts and a danger to regional peace and security, denouncing Israeli occupation plans to desecrate the sanctity of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and to Judaize Al-Quds.

They also slammed the occupation's brutal violation in Palestine, most notably the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements and flagrant violations of human rights and international law.

Unwavering support for Palestine

Syria and Iran expressed their support for the Palestinian people's right to resist the occupation, the statement added.

Elsewhere, Raisi extended an official invitation to Al-Assad, expressing his sincere gratitude and appreciation for the Syrian side's cordial welcome and generous hospitality.

Raisi arrived in Syria on Wednesday on an official visit, marking the first trip to the Arab country by an Iranian President in over 10 years.

#Iranian President Ebrahim #Raisi had a warm welcome as he arrived in Damascus to meet with Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad. Raisi is the first Iranian President to visit #Syria since 2011. pic.twitter.com/41MDCGiq6g

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) May 3, 2023

The Iranian President held talks with his Syrian counterpart and also met with Syrian Prime Minister Hussein Arnous and Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad.

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