Top Syrian official praises Iran's stand on N-right

IranMania:

Deputy Syrian Prime Minister Abdullah al-Dardari praised Iran's firm and logical diplomacy regarding its peaceful nuclear policies despite severe western pressure and their broad antagonist propagation.

The Syrian Deputy Prime Minister in Economic Affairs made the comment in a meeting with Islamic Republic of Iran's Ambassador to Damascus Mohammad-Reza Baqeri, announcing Syria's readiness for broader cooperation with Iran, particularly in economic, industrial and service rendering fields. READ MORE

According to IRNA correspondent in Damascus, the head of Syria's Supreme Economic Council assured the Iranian envoy he would personally see into proper process of manufacturing the Iranian Samand passenger cars in Syria.

Al-Dardari said, "I would have close supervision over the progress of the project and eliminate all possible problems on its way so that Samand production line would get operational in its pre-scheduled time."

The foundation stone of Syria branch of the all-Iranian Samand Passenger Car Factory was laid in a Damascus industrial suburb in 1984 and it is planned to manufacture some five thousand units per year as of mid-2006.

Iran's mammoth auto manufacturer firm Iran Khodrow owns forty percent of Samand-Syria firm, while Syria's private sector Sultan Company owns 25% of the factory's shares and the Syrian public sector owns the remaining 35%.

Baqeri, whose mission in Syria is nearly finished and is already appointed as IRI's Deputy Foreign Minister in African and Arab World Affairs, too, said during the meeting, "Iran, just as always, favors further improvement of comprehensive excellent ties with Syria." The two sides meanwhile exchanged views on other infrastructure projects run by Iranian firms in Syria.

Iranian investors have got engaged in dozens of economic projects in Syria worth hundreds of million dollars. They include renovation and reconstruction of Banias Power Plant, Samand Passenger Car Factory, a Cement Factory and ten grain silos.

According to IRNA reporter in Damascus, during the farewell ceremony held for the IRI envoy Mohammad-Reza Baqeri, the Syrian Tourism Minister Saadullah Aqa al-Qalah, too, asked for introduction of Syria's tourism attractions by Iranian Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization (CHTO).

It was also agreed during the meeting that the two countries should provide for launching Iran tours for Syrian tourists in near future.

The outgoing Iranian Ambassador to Damascus also met and discussed issues of mutual interest with Syrian deputy foreign ministers Farouq Taha and Ahmad Arnous, as well as Consultant Minister in Municipalities Affairs Halal al-Utrush, and Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Bushra Kanfani separately.

During those meetings the improving trend of bilateral ties, the perspective of comprehensive cooperation, and latest regional developments were discussed between Baqeri and different Syrian officials.