The Islamic Republic of Iran’s First Vice-President Mohammad Reza Aref arrived in Damascus on Wednesday. He is scheduled to discuss further expansion of bilateral cooperation with Syrian senior officials. Aref's visit is taking place at the official invitation of his Syrian counterpart Abd al-Halim Khaddam, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).
The annual session of the Iran-Syria high political committee is to open in Damascus on Thursday. The two countries' vice-presidents co-chair the meeting every year.
Prior to his departure from Tehran, Aref declared his satisfaction with the current level of Tehran-Damascus diplomatic relations but called for further advancement of bilateral economic and trade ties between the two countries.
Aref told reporters that there are great opportunities in both countries, which should be made use of in order to strengthen all-out cooperation between the two states.
Aref added that during his current visit to the Syrian capital, he would discuss the latest regional developments as well as mutual cooperation with senior Syrian officials including Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Vice-President Khaddam.
Ministers of Economic and Financial Affairs Tahmasb Mazaheri and Commerce Mohammad Shariatmadari are accompanying the first vice-president in his current Syrian visit. (Albawaba.com)
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