NEW YORK, September 23. /TASS/. Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem has said words of gratitude to Russia ahead of the first anniversary of the Russian military operation in Syria at his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on Friday.

"Yes, it is a very important operation in the fight against terrorism," Muallem said. "We appreciate Russia’s participation in it. We are grateful to the people and leadership of Russia."

"As usual, a very good result has been achieved (at the talks with Lavrov)," he said, calling the meeting as very fruitful.

"We and our countries are friends and our relationship is based on a solid foundation."

Russia’s aviation grouping has been delivering air strikes in Syria against the Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organizations (both banned in Russia) since September 30, 2015 at the request of Syria’s President Bashar Assad.