Iranian Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref held a round of talks yesterday afternoon with Syrian Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam, focusing on the latest developments in the regional scene and Syrian-Iranian relations.
An Iranian source stated that Khaddam discussed the historical relations between Damascus and Tehran on various levels, calling for their continuation and for both sides to adopt similar positions on international issues. The Syrian Vice President highlighted the global and regional situation following the September 11th incidents in the U.S., emphasizing the need for alignment between Arab and Islamic countries, particularly Syria and Iran, to counter attempts by some international powers to exploit these events for dubious purposes. According to the source, Khaddam criticized the unilateral and dominant policies followed by Washington since September 11th in its dealings with the world, calling for solidarity among Arab and Islamic nations to confront these policies in the region.
For his part, the Iranian Vice President emphasized the need to continue the distinguished Syrian-Iranian cooperative relations and to maintain coordination, consultation, and exchange of visits between officials of both countries to find appropriate solutions to the problems and crises affecting the region. He also stressed the importance of expanding economic relations between Damascus and Tehran, expressing Iran’s belief that Arab and Islamic countries can achieve self-sufficiency in meeting their needs. The Iranian official noted the interest of Islamic countries in the dialogue of civilizations project and the slogan of the coalition for peace proposed by President Khatami, considering these proposals as a suitable basis for leading the countries in the region, especially the Palestinian people, to enjoy lasting peace and security.
After the meeting, Khaddam and Aref responded to questions from journalists. The Iranian Vice President affirmed the necessity of developing Syrian-Iranian relations, noting that the goal of his visit to Damascus was to discuss current developments in the region and the world to adopt joint and aligned positions.
Regarding whether the discussions touched upon the topic of Hezbollah, the Iranian Vice President stated that the talks did not address such issues, emphasizing that Syria and Iran support resistance in the region.
On the rapprochement between Iraq and Iran, especially after the American threats to both countries, Aref said that Iranian foreign policy always aims to overcome old disputes and resolve them within a framework of friendship to achieve a better future filled with peace and stability. He mentioned ongoing negotiations with the Iraqi side and hoped that these negotiations would yield the desired results soon. Concerning Tehran’s stance on the possibility of U.S. military intervention in Iraq to change its regime, Aref said, “We do not agree with any external intervention in any country, and we believe that the future of any country should be determined by its own people,” affirming his country’s rejection of any U.S. intervention in Iraq.
In response to a question about Syria’s position on U.S. threats against Iran, the Syrian Vice President stated that such threats and statements have existed for some time, but what matters is not what is said, but rather our stance regarding these threats, which remains firm. He affirmed that resistance is a legitimate right for all peoples to resist occupation, and that national independence is a legitimate right for all peoples, with no power capable of taking these rights away or destroying them.
The Iranian Vice President arrived in Damascus at the head of an official political and economic delegation, where his Syrian counterpart Abdul Halim Khaddam was at the forefront of those welcoming him at Damascus International Airport. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is scheduled to meet with the Iranian Vice President today.