Category: Government

In the framework of his official visit to Syria, the Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi, received Prime Minister, Hussein Arnous at his residence in Damascus.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed means of boosting aspects of cooperation and the need for following up on the joint cooperation documents signed early and finding the proper executive mechanisms in the interests of the two peoples.

The talks also dealt with the needed measures that should be taken to boost indicators of trade exchange.

President Raisi affirmed the Iranian companies’ willingness to actively share in the reconstruction process in Syria.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi met Senior Religious Scholars in Damascus in the presence of Minister of Religious Endowments Mohammad Abdul-Sattar al-Sayyed.

The Religious Scholars welcomed His Excellency and hailed the strategic ties binding Syria and Iran and their united position against the US and Israeli terrorism targeting peoples in the region.

President Raisi thanked the scholars and praised the resilience of Syrians, affirming Iran’s firm support to Syrians and the deep-rooted strategic relations between the two countries.

Raisi stressed that the method of resistance adopted by President Bashar al-Assad has given fruit and this was clear through Syria’s victory over terrorism and its supporters.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi received on Thursday Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Fayssal Mikdad and the accompanying delegation at his residence in Damascus, within the framework of the Iranian President’s visit to Syria.

During the meeting, President Raisi reiterated his country’s continued support for Syria’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, praising the positive diplomatic moves taking place in the region.

In this regard, Raisi stressed the wisdom of President Bashar al-Assad and the rightness of his stances in dealing with the various issues and challenges facing Syria.

Minister Mikdad, for his part, briefed President Raisi on Syria’s stance towards political developments taking place in the region and the world, particularly the recent political movements.

He also reviewed the outcomes of his recent visits to the Arab countries as well as the currently preparations for participating in the coming meeting of foreign ministers of Syria, Iran, Russia, and Turkey in Moscow.

In this context, Minister Mikdad affirmed Syria’s stance towards ending the illegitimate Turkish military presence in Syria.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi described his country’s relations with Syria as “strategic and deep”, stressing that his visit to Syria comes in the framework of consolidating these relations and developing them in all domains.

In an interview with al-Mayadeen TV. Channel on Tuesday, President Raisi expressed his country’s readiness to cooperate with Syria in regard with the rebuilding process, noting that “this process should start quickly, and the displaced return to their homeland and the conditions return to normal state.”

The Iranian President pointed out that his country has supported Syria, since the beginning of the war against it, in facing the Takfirists and the terrorists, asserting that “the Americans and the Zionists have pinned much hopes that Syria will collapse and that they will break the front line of the resistance.”

The Iranian President welcomed the return of Syria’s relations with the rest of the countries of the region, calling for the departure of the US forces illegitimately existing in the Syrian territories immediately.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

President Bashar al-Assad and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi signed Wednesday a memo of understanding on long-term comprehensive strategic cooperation plan between the two countries.

The two sides also signed a number of cooperation agreements in various areas, including the agriculture, oil, transport, free zones, communications and other domians.

At a news briefing, President al-Assad said “Economic issues were at the core of our talks today. The memo of understanding signed and the numerous projects discussed will greatly advance the bilateral relations through developing mechanisms to increase trade exchange and investments between the two countries. In addition, they will mitigate the impacts of sanctions, taking advantage of changes in the global economic map and the gradual transition of balance to the East, which will liberate international economics from western hegemony.”

President al-Assad added: “Many issues were discussed today, foremost of which was the colonial powers’ attempts to undermine the stability of countries and divide them, which is an old colonial policy, but it still exists today. The most effective way to confront them is to take advantage of the current positive opportunities represented by the improvement of relations between a number of countries in our region after decades of tension, based on the axiom that the countries and peoples of the region win together or lose together.”

President al-Assad went on to say: “In that context, we welcomed the development of relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as it will have a great positive impact on the immunity of countries in this important part of the world. This immunity is what we need most today in the face of the abnormal Zionist entity that only survives on blood and death.

The President said: “Within the framework of the quadripartite meeting held in Moscow, we stressed the importance of this initiative, while making sure that its core and goal is the withdrawal of the occupying forces and halting support for terrorist groups as a natural way to restore normal relations between any two countries. I thanked President Raisi for the active role that Iran plays alongside Russia in making this important initiative a success.

President Raisi, for his part, said that the two sides discussed means of boosting relations in all fields and “We expressed Iran’s keenness to maintain better ties with all countries in the region.”

He also underscored that memos of understanding, especially those in the economic and trade areas, will be in the interest of expanding relations between the two countries.

The Iranian President said: “I thank the friendly country and President of the Syrian Arab Republic for this invitation, and the warm hospitality for the delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran. We also thank the people who withstood all measures made by terrorist organizations, starting from America, Western countries, and some countries in the region that tried to divide Syria, and tried to kill and destroy, kill women and children, and more destruction and injustice that they practiced against this people.”

President Raisi said: “The Islamic Republic of Iran has always affirmed its support for resistance and steadfastness… We stand by the Syrian government and people… We stand with the Syrian people who confronted the takfiri groups… Today the Syrian people got rid of the takfiri groups.. And today we stand by the Syrian people during the stage of reconstruction, and we will stand by it, and we trust that the Syrian people and the Syrian government will continue this path. What remains is a shame for all parties that committed assassinations and carried out terrorism against the Syrian people, who feel proud after years of steadfastness.

“We are in the process of developing our relations with countries of the region, and we will seek to expand them without the presence of foreigners… The presence of foreigners does not establish security, they do not bring us security, rather they disturb the security of the region, and it is appropriate for the American forces to leave the region quickly. The way to establish security and ensure Syrian sovereignty is the withdrawal of illegal foreign forces, and restoring Syrian sovereignty over all Syrian lands is through the exit of these forces, and Syrian sovereignty must be respected over all Syrian lands.” The Iranian President said.

President Raisi concluded by saying: “I hope that all memorandums of understanding, especially in the economic and trade fields, will be in the interest of the two countries and in expanding relations between them. We extend our hands to all the countries of the region and all the neighbors. This is our priority, and we extend our hands to them. We believe that this relationship and such memorandums of understanding can cut off the hands of foreigners from our region. We renew once again our appreciation, respect and thanks to His Excellency President of the Republic Bashar Al-Assad and the Syrian people for hosting the Iranian delegation.”

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Russian President Vladimir Putin was not harmed and continues to work as usual after Kiev’s attempted drone attack against the Kremlin this night, the presidential press service said on Wednesday.

“The Russian president was not harmed as a result of the terrorist attack. His schedule has not changed and continues as usual,” TASS quoted the press service as saying.

According to the press service, this night “the Kiev regime carried out an attempt to deliver a strike by unmanned aerial vehicles on the Kremlin residence of the Russian president.” “Two unmanned aerial vehicles targeted the Kremlin,” it said.

“As a result of timely actions taken by military and special services using electronic warfare systems, the drones were disabled,” the Kremlin stated. “Their fall and the fragments scattered around on the territory of the Kremlin caused no casualties or material damage,” the press service stressed.

The Russian president on Tuesday worked in St. Petersburg, where he gave the go-ahead to resume tram traffic in Mariupol via video link, held a meeting with the government and a number of other working meetings. Putin also met in person with famous Russian conductor Valery Gergiev, who marked his 70th birthday.

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that on Wednesday Putin is working in Novo-Ogaryovo outside Moscow, where he met with Nizhny Novgorod Governor Gleb Nikitin.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Participants in the Syrian-Iraqi Business Forum discussed the difficulties facing economic and trade cooperation between businessmen in both countries and proposals that would facilitate the work of the private sector, encouraging investment and establishing partnerships to increase and promote the level of economic and trade relations between the two countries.

“The title of our meeting today is to strengthen the deep-rooted bonds of brotherhood connecting us, through an open dialogue to raise the economic impediments and obstacles facing us, and to consult on ways of cooperation and the solutions required to come up with recommendations that serve the common interests of both countries in an effort to increase economic cooperation and promoting the level of trade and industrial exchange on the official and private levels and in both directions”, President of the Syrian-Iraqi Business Council, Mohamed Nasser al-Sawwah said in a speech.

Al-Sawwah called upon the Iraqi side to work on establishing joint investments to enhance cooperation between the two countries.

Al-Sawwah expressed thanks and appreciation over Iraqi leadership and people for their support to Syria during the earthquake disaster

In turn, Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade, Dr. Muhammad Samer al-Khalil, stated that the forum is important and characterized by privacy, because it is the first time that Syrian businessmen of all sectors meet with governmental officials from the Iraqi side, with the aim of removing obstacles facing the development of the volume of trade exchange.

Iraqi Trade Minister Atheer al-Ghurairy, considered that the Forum and the meetings of the 11th session of the joint Syrian-Iraqi committee constitute an opportunity to launch a new phase of joint relations between both countries that will reflects on trade and economic exchange and all other sectors.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

President Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday received Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi who arrived in Syria today , heading a large ministerial delegation on a two-day visit to Syria.

President Al-Assad: Syrian-Iranian Relations Have Remained Stable Despite Political Storms

During the plenary talks with the Iranian President, President al-Assad said “the Syrian-Iranian relations are rich in content, rich in experiences and rich in the insights that constituted them, and therefore, these relations were, during hard times, stable and firm despite of the severe political and security storms which struck the Middle East Region.”.

President al-Assad added “our ties were established for more than four decades, and the political storms changed concepts, blew up foundations and destroyed entire countries, but they failed to affect the consistent vision that our two countries share about the events that were taking place,” .

His Excellency said “the joint vision of the two countries has proven to be based on correct and firm foundations, based on values, principles and beliefs, and most importantly, on the interests of the peoples and on their sovereignty and independence.”.

The President added that “the relations between our two countries are built on loyalty, when an unjust war was waged against Iran in 1980 for eight years, Syria did not hesitate to stand by Iran despite the threats and temptations at that time.”

President Al-Assad said “in the same way, when the war has been launched against Syria since 12 years ago, Iran supported Syria despite the threats, and did not hesitate to provide all political and economic support, but rather offered blood, and the blood is the most precious thing that a person can offer to his neighbor.

President Raisi: The Syrian people overcame difficulties and achieved victory

For his part, Iranian President Raisi said “Syria, Government and People, have gone through large difficulties, and today we can say that you have surpassed all these problems and achieved victory despite of the threats and sanctions imposed on you.”.

President Raisi expressed his sincere congratulations to the Syrian government and people for these great victories. “The whole world certainly praises this resistance that Syria has shown,” he said.

The president added that “the relations between the government and the people of Syria and between the government and the people of Iran are old and stem from the heart.”.

“We are currently witnessing many political developments and changes in the region and the world, but the relations between the two countries have not and will not be affected by these changes and developments, and I believe that the coming circumstances will also be so, and these relations will not be affected by changes and conditions in the world and the region.” President Raisi said.

President Raisi added “Syrians have certainly had difficult days, but I hope we will witness days full of joy, success for this country.”.

“The rightness of the status of Iran and Syria and the rationality of this track and that the resistance has brought its fruits, and yesterday some may have been hesitating about the stance and the political position of Iran and Syria, but today everyone believes that this stance and this track is of truth and justice one.” the Iranian president added.

He went on to say that “The circumstances were difficult, but in the end we witnessed that the resistance was proved and it became clear to everyone that the victorious track is the resistance.”.

President Raisi said: “Surrender certainly has costs, and a percise price, and certainly its price will be greater than the price of resistance, and some who thought that by surrendering to the enemy would pay a lower price, then it became clear to everyone that this view is a wrong.”.

The Iranian president added: “We have always declared that the Islamic Republic of Iran supports the resistance front, and since the victory of the Islamic Revolution, we have declared our support for the resistance fronts, and now we also affirm that we support and stand by the resistance front.”.

His Excellency believes that the current world order has changed and will ultimately be in interest of the resistance front.

Raisi affirmed that the bilateral ties of Syria and Iran and the communication between their leaderships and peoples are deep rooted that they certainly cannot be fractured.

The Iranian President added that Iran is a friend through hardships, thus, has declared support to the peoples of Syria and Iraq during the Takfiri war led by the Takfiri groups against Syria, aiming at changing the regional order as well as the Syrian and Iraqi governments.

“We hope that Syria will achieve peace and prosperity,” the Iranian President said. “Iran has been, and still is, standing side by side with Syria, particularly during the period of reconstruction and there is no question that the Syrians themselves are able to clean up the ravages of the war. The world will also witness the Syrians return to their homeland.”.

“I have mercy on the souls of the martyrs of the axis of resistance, and the martyrs of Syria, and I wish health and a speedy recovery for those injured in the war”. The Iranian president concluded his speech by saying.

President al-Assad and Iranian President Raisi discussed the bilateral relations in various fields and means of developing them.

Talks also dealt with the latest developments in the Middle East region and the reflections of the global changes on the region, and unifying efforts to invest these changes for the benefit of the two countries and the people of the region.

The Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi arrived in Damascus International Airport on Wednesday, accompanied by a large ministerial political and economic delegation.

An official reception ceremony was held for the Iranian President upon his arrival at the Poeple’s Palace, the two national anthems of Syria and Iran were played, then the two Presidents reviewed the guard of honor, and shook hands with members of the two official delegations.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

Qatar Press Center organized a seminar titled: “Qatar World Cup 2022… Idea, Legacy and Sustainability,” in cooperation with Qatar Media Corporation.

The event addressed several topics concerning the journey of Qatar’s hosting of the World Cup 2022, which was held for the first time in the Middle East and Arab world.

The seminar touched on the historic successes Qatar has achieved at all levels, including the major achievements made by this hosting and its significant and influencing role for the generations to come.

In his inaugural remark, HE President of the Qatar Press Center Saad Mohammed Al Rumaihi welcomed the attendees, noting the size of the great success Qatar highlighted by hosting the first tournament in the region that enabled Arab people to feel proud.

In this regard, Al Rumaihi stressed that Qatar World Cup 2022 was one of the most successful tournaments to be organized in the history of the world cup, in addition to the young capabilities that were candidly able to organize one of the most successful tournament’s versions.

What has been achieved will be a significant catalyst for Doha to proceed with providing excellence by hosting major sporting events, he noted.

On the other hand, Chief Operations Officer of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Jassim Abdulaziz Al Jassim said that Qatar handled the World Cup differently, and there was a sharp focus on legacy, adding that the tournament is not confined to 28 days only.

Al Bayt Stadium remained a destination for the inhabitants of Al Khor city and the remaining areas, Al Jassim added, pointing out that there are upcoming tournaments to be held in Doha, which is indicative of the existing infrastructure, as well as the accumulative expertise Qatar has acquired through the tournament and the outcome was satisfactory.

He underlined that all state entities had contributed to making a legacy, and there were synergistic efforts among all state institutions, as the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy sought to coordinate with all entities to overcome all vexing challenges.

In concluding his statement, Al Jassim asserted that plans are ready to host the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, and the work is afoot to accomplish everything similar to what had been achieved in the world cup, especially since the tournament stadiums will host the matches again.

For his part, Major Hamad Al Ali of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 security force indicated that since Qatar’s bid to host the World Cup in 2010, there has been major work pertaining to the perfect preparations to host the tournament and create the suitable human cadre for the event.

Young security cadre had been dispatched to encounter numerous global experiences whether in South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup, Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup, or Russia 2018 World Cup, as well as several European Union tournaments, Al Ali said.

He added that all cadres participated in organizing these tournaments and acquired great expertise, pointing out that the cadres came out with a special security operations concept in Qatar.

‘Watan’ exercise was inaugurated with the participation of several entities and friendly countries that achieved great success, he noted, adding that the exercise was effective and successful in all simulation scenarios during the world cup, including methods of cooperation and coordination among all entities to ensure achievement of security and success for the tournament.

Source: Qatar News Agency

The Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) hosted a delegation from the Bahrain Society in London as part of their visit to the Kingdom from April 25 to May 1.

The Bahrain Society in London brings together all British people who spent periods of their childhood or their working careers in the Kingdom of Bahrain during the previous years, and many of them experienced different stages of the development of Bapco.

The visit’s programme included a visit to Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia on April 29, to see its distinctive engineering design and the various sections it contains, followed by a tour of the Awali area, which was established in the wake of the discovery of oil in Bahrain in the 1930s to provide housing and entertainment for the expatriate workers of the company.

A documentary about the history of the Bahrain Petroleum Company since its inception and the stages of development that the company and the city of Awali have gone through over the years was reviewed.

Members of the visiting delegation expressed their thanks and appreciation to Bapco for the warm reception and hospitality, reviewing their memories of their stay in Bahrain and Awali.

Source: Bahrain News Agency