President arrives in Damascus at the head of a high-ranking delegation

Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi was seen off by First Vice President Dr Mohammad Mokhber and Hojatoleslam val-Moslemin Mohsen Qomi, the Deputy Director of International Communications of the Office of the Supreme Leader and a group of cabinet members this morning.

A few minutes ago, Dr Raisi arrived at the Damascus International Airport and was welcomed Mohammad Samer al-Khalil, Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade of Syria.

The official welcoming ceremony of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran will be held by the President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Bashar al-Assad, at the People's Palace a few hours, and after that, the negotiations of the high-ranking delegations headed by the Presidents of the two countries will be held.

Meeting with the President and Prime Minister of Syria and discussing and exchanging opinions on ways to consolidate and strengthen political relations and expand and improve the level of commercial cooperation between the two countries, as well as signing economic and political documents and memoranda between Tehran and Damascus are among the programs of the first day of this visit.

Attending the joint meeting of Iranian and Syrian economic executives, meeting Iranian residents and visiting holy places are among the other plans of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran's trip to Syria.

This is the 11th foreign trip of Raisi and the first trip of the highest executive official of Iran to Syria after 13 years and in line with the strengthening of neighbourly relations. For most of the past 13 years, Syria has seen war and intense internal conflicts, which was accompanied by the victory of the resistance axis over terrorist groups, including ISIS and its western and international supporters.

Before leaving Tehran, Raisi spoke to reporters about the plans and goals of this trip, pointing out that this trip is being conducted at the invitation of Mr Bashar al-Assad, the respected President of Syria, and in line with the strategic relations between Iran and Syria, and said, "Today is clear to everyone that the positions of the Islamic Republic of Iran are based on rationality, prudence and righteousness and are based on resistance and standing".

The President stated that today it has been proven that the resistance and what the Islamic Republic has emphasised many times, i.e. standing and resisting the enemies, has worked, and added, "Today it is clear to everyone in the region that the Islamic Republic of Iran is considered a strong pillar that everyone can trust it, and the position of the Islamic Republic is considered as a main and effective actor in the developments of the region".

Raisi stated that during this trip we will hold consultations to strengthen and improve economic, political and security relations with Syria, and clarified, "The two countries are determined to develop relations and there are many fields for expanding cooperation. In our talks, we are also pursuing the acceleration of the implementation of the agreements between the two countries, and I am sure that the expansion of relations between Tehran and Damascus will benefit the two nations and the region".

In another part of his speech, the President stated that today it has become clear to everyone that Syria and its legal government must have sovereignty over the entire territory of this country and that Syria's territorial sovereignty must be strengthened day by day. We emphasised this issue in Tehran and we emphasise now that everyone should respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria. Stabilising and improving security in the region depends on the Syrian government being able to effectively exercise its sovereignty over all parts of the country".

Raisi pointed out that our relations with Syria are not ordinary relations today, and noted, "Iran-Syria relations are completely strategic relations. Enemies tried a lot to divide Syria and spoil relations between Damascus and the countries of the region".

The President added, "American-made groups like ISIS and other Takfiri groups have created chaos and riots in Syria and the region with murder, bloodshed, and many crimes, but the resistance groups and the resistant people of Syria and Mr Bashar al-Assad personally and the Syrian government have shown resistance".

Raisi said, "It is not unclear to anyone that what the resistance groups, Hezbollah of Lebanon, the Islamic Republic's advisory forces and Haj Qasem Soleimani did in Syria play a significant role in creating security today, not only in Syria but also in the region".

Referring to the fact that the Americans created terrorist groups in the region and the resistance groups and our loved ones from Iran, Iraq, Syria and other countries in the region stood up against the terrorists, the President added, "Those who claim to fight terrorism killed the heroes of the fight against terrorism, Haj Qasem Soleimani, and they should be held accountable for this before the public opinion and the awakened consciences of the world".

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