Deputy Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Baqeri has arrived in the Syrian capital, Damascus, to discuss ways to expand strategic cooperation with senior Syrian officials, PressTV reported.
Baqeri told IRNA upon his arrival on Saturday that his two-day visit to Damascus is taking place within the framework of continuous consultations between Iran and Syria on a variety of issues.
The SNSC official added that during his stay in Syria he would hold talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem.
He is also scheduled to meet leaders of the Palestinian resistance groups, including Hamas political chief Khaled Meshaal and Secretary General of the Islamic Jihad Movement Ramadan Abdullah Shalah.
Iran and Syria share common stance on many regional and international issues. The two countries have stepped up efforts in recent years to improve relations in variety of fields.
Bilateral trade between the two countries is currently valued at $3 billion and is expected to reach $5 billion in the near future.
In October, the Syrian president paid an official visit to the Iranian capital Tehran and held talks with senior Iranian officials.
In a special ceremony during the visit, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad awarded his Syrian counterpart the Grand National Order of the Islamic Republic of Iran for his resistance against arrogant powers, his defense of the rights of the Palestinian and Lebanese nations, his key role in the stability and tranquility of regional countries, and his great efforts to strengthen brotherly ties between Iran and Syria.
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