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Syria’s Assad, Iran’s Raisi sign memorandum on long-term cooperation — report

The sides also signed agreements on establishment of free trade zones, development of railway transport and air service

BEIRUT, May 3. /TASS/. Presidents of Syria and Iran Bashar al-Assad and Ebrahim Raisi signed a memorandum on long-term strategic partnership between the two countries in Damascus on Wednesday, according to the SANA news agency.

According to the report, the document provides for a 20-year plan on trade and economic cooperation.

The sides also signed agreements on establishment of free trade zones, development of railway transport and air service. The sides will also implement joint oil and gas and agricultural projects.

According to the report, Assad noted during the negotiations, which took place earlier, that "Syria and Iran build their relations based on common approaches to regional and international problems."

"Our partnership has stood the test of time," he noted. "Syria took Iran’s side during the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war, just like Iran has been supporting the Syrian people for the last 12 years in their combat with terrorist groups."

According to the Syrian leader, "the two friendly states make a new qualitative step in development of cooperation in the interest of the two nations, based on firm principles and common political vision."

President Raisi arrived in Syria on Wednesday with a two-day official visit - the first after a 13-year pause. Speaking in an interview for Al Mayadeen, the Iranian president underscored that "relations with Damascus are very important for Tehran, because Syria is at the front of resistance forces."

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