News / Politics

‘Iran and Syria are on the right path’: Assad hails Tehran’s BRICS membership

Thursday, 31 August 2023 10:39 AM [ Last Update: Thursday, 31 August 2023 11:10 AM ]

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (R) meets with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in Damascus on August 31, 2023. (Photo by Iran's Foreign Ministry)

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has congratulated Iran on its upcoming accession to the BRICS group of emerging economies.

During a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in Damascus on Thursday, Assad said that Iran’s membership in the BRICS group of fast-developing economies — Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — shows that the world is changing and that both Tehran and Damascus are on the right path.

Iran was invited last week to join BRICS, which is often seen as an alternative to the Western economic and political hegemony, along with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Ethiopia, Argentina and Egypt.

BRICS invites Iran, five other countries to join as new members

Iran has been invited to become a member of the BRICS group of emerging economies, whose leaders are in Johannesburg, South Africa, to discuss the bloc’s expansion.

Amir-Abdollahian, for his part, said expressed his satisfaction with Syria’s return to the Arab League and the strengthening of Damascus’ relations with Arab states.

Syria in ‘best condition’ after winning war on terror: Iran FM

He also noted that Syria is today in its “best condition” after its government, nation and army won “a global terrorist war.”

“We are happy that the region and the world recognized the reality and power of Syria. Nevertheless, the enemies of Syria are seeking to pursue their own political objectives by subjecting its government and nation to sanctions and economic pressure.”

“The Islamic Republic of Iran will keep standing by Syria and its nation in the new situation, as it was the case in difficult times.” He added.

Amir-Abdollahian further underlined the need for all parties to respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, stressing that Tehran stands by Damascus until the counter-terrorism battle is completed.

Iran has maintained an advisory mission in Syria at the request of Damascus with the aim of helping the war-torn country vanquish the foreign-backed militants, who have been fighting against the Syrian government since 2011.

Iran’s advisory assistance helped Syria defeat Daesh and win back control of almost all regions from terrorists.

'Go back home'; Iran advises US forces to leave Syria

Iran advises the United States to take its military forces out of Syria.

In the Thursday meeting, Amir-Abdollahian also reiterated Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi’s invitation for Assad to visit Tehran.

The foreign minister said that in his meetings with Syrian officials, he had discussed the process of implementing the agreements already signed between the two countries.

Amir-Abdollahian arrived in Syria on Wednesday to hold talks with the senior officials of the Arab country.

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