President Bashar al-Assad on Monday received Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari and the accompanying delegation.

The meeting discussed the latest developments at the Syrian and Iraqi arenas and the regional and international situations.

President al-Assad stressed that the victories achieved in combating terrorism in Syria and Iraq are in common because the field in the two counties are one, where blood of the heroes who achieved these victories in both countries is mingled.

President al-Assad stressed importance of upgrading and consolidating the Syrian-Iraqi historic relations particularly at the two peoples’ level, considering that in spite of the security circumstances of both countries and in spite of all foreign attempts to prevent the development of the bilateral relations, there has always been coordination at different levels and a mutual understanding with regard to what is going on in the region and the world.

For his part, Minister al-Jaafari pointed out that the regional and international circumstances are changing positively towards what is going on in Syria and Iraq due to the legitimacy of the cause defended by the two brotherly countries, which requires action for achieving more victories and promoting  them for upgrading the two countries and the region in general.

Al-Jaafari considered that Syria possesses a cultural and historical heritage and having approached triumph over terrorism, it will have a role in the region more than any stage before.

The meeting also discussed agreeing on intensifying efforts for re-opening the border crossings between the two countries in a way that contributes to broadening prospects of cooperation between them.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign and Expatriates Minister Walid al-Moallem, Presidential Political and Media Adviser Dr. Bouthaina Shaaban, Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister Fayssal Mikdad, Assistant Director of the Department of the Arab Nation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Iraqi Ambassador in Damascus.

In the same context, Speaker of the People’s Assembly Hammouda Sabbagh discussed with the Iraqi Foreign Minister and the accompanying delegation means of boosting the parliamentary cooperation between the two countries and increasing coordination at international forums, describing relations between the two brotherly peoples as deep and strong.

Later, Prime Minister Imad Khamis also discussed with Al-Jaafari the economic ties between the two states and the necessity of investing their natural, economic and tourist capabilities in all fields to boost common interests and serve the aspirations of the Syrian and Iraqi people.