Tehran - President Bashar al-Assad, accompanied by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, on Saturday visited an exhibition on modern technologies for serving unity among Islamic countries which is being held at the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tehran.
The exhibition aims at introducing the advanced Iranian products in the fields of technology and using them to serve the Islamic world.
President al-Assad toured the exhibition and was briefed by representatives of Iranian technological production companies on the rapid development of these modern, state-of-the-art industries in Iran and the products of these national companies.
His Excellency affirmed the importance of exchanging scientific expertise and possessing knowledge to use it in service of the development process and achieve progress for the peoples of the region and the Islamic world.
President al-Assad pointed out to the humane and civilized dimension that this exhibition embodies in terms of not monopolizing technology but rather putting it in the service of the entire world.
President al-Assad Awarded the Higher Medal of Islamic Republic of Iran
President Ahmadinejad awarded President al-Assad the Higher Medal of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the most prestigious medal accorded by Iran to Presidents and Kings.
President al-Assad expressed appreciation to Iran, government and people, saying that the Medal reflects the level the Syrian-Iranian relations have reached in all fields, particularly since the Iranian Revolution led by the late Imam Khomeini.
The President stressed that the Syrian-Iranian relations, started by late President Hafez al-Assad and Imam Khomeini, will continue in the future in the interest of the two countries' peoples and that of the region.
President al-Assad thanked every Iranian who has stood by the Arab rights, wishing the Iranian people more progress and prosperity leading to more steadfastness and consequently more independence and stability in the region.
For his part, President Ahmadinejad voiced pride in Iran's relations with Syria which he said is "a symbol of steadfastness".
The Iranian President affirmed that the Syrian-Iranian relationship is "a model relationship" based on friendship and mutual cooperation in all domains, particularly in economy and politics, pointing out to the great progress Syria has achieved under the leadership of President al-Assad.
Ahmadinejad renewed his country's support to Syria in the face of the sabotage plots in the region, asserting that Iran stands by Syria's rights to restore its occupied territories and supports its calls for the achievement of just and comprehensive peace, liberation of the occupied land and the return of the refugees.
Syria, Iran Sign Free Trade Agreement
In the presence of Presidents al-Assad and Ahmadinejad, a free trade agreement between Syria and Iran was signed on Saturday.
The agreement aims at gradually reducing customs fees and taxes on all goods exchanged between the two countries over a period of five years.
A memo of understanding which stipulates for establishing investment companies in various industrial domains was also signed between the Syrian and Iranian Ministries of Industry.
President Ahmadinejad held a luncheon banquet in honor of President Bashar al-Assad at the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attended by members of the two countries' official delegations, senior officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran and ambassadors of the Arab and Islamic countries accredited to Iran.
By M. Nassr/ H. Said/ R. al-Jazaeri /R. Milhem / H. Sabbagh / Zahra
© SANA (Syria Arab News Agency) 2010
