TEHRAN – President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said that extensive plans and measures are on the agenda to realize the potential for enhancement of economic and political ties with Syria.

Ahmadinejad made the remarks in a meeting with Syrian Prime Minister Muhammed Naji Otri in Tehran on Thursday.
The president described the relationship between Tehran and Damascus as brotherly. “Today the two countries should smartly take further steps to expand their relations and cooperation especially in the economic and social areas.”
The strong bilateral relationship will contribute to the economic growth and political stability of the two countries and raise their status in the international arena, he added.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Ahmadinejad said that Iran is ready to share its scientific achievements with Syria to help the country make rapid progress.
Muhammed Naji Otri described the outlook of bilateral relations as bright and promising, saying both nations will benefit from a strong relationship.
The Syrian prime minister also called for prompt implementation of the agreements made between the two countries.
During Otri’s visit to Tehran, Iran and Syria signed five cooperation pacts in various areas including trade and housing.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Otri said that Syria is proud of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s great achievements and advances in various areas.
Regional developments, an opportunity for resistance front
Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani, in a separate meeting with the Syrian prime minister, said that the new situation in the region created by the popular uprisings against the autocratic rulers has provided a great opportunity for the resistance front against the Zionist regime and its patrons.
He accused the extra-regional powers of trying to take advantage of the current situation in the region and urged the nations to remain vigilant so that they can foil the global powers’ plots aimed at restoring their hegemony in the region.
The speaker also said that official corruption, dependence on foreigners, and dictatorship were the factors which triggered the current incidents in the region.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Larijani highlighted the strategic importance of cooperation between Iran, Syria, Turkey and Iraq, and said that through this quadrilateral cooperation the situation can be turned to the advantage of the regional nations.
Commenting on the Tehran-Damascus relations, he said that the Iranian parliament fully supports every effort aimed at boosting bilateral ties.
Otri called the two countries’ relationship exemplary and strong, saying Iran and Syria have the same enemies and both are campaigning against the arrogant powers and Zionists.
On the ongoing developments in the region, he said that the global powers are trying to take advantage of the current situation and turn the situation to their advantage through ‘riding the waves’ created by the popular revolutionary movements.
“The United States has adopted the policy of hypocrisy on regional developments,” he added.
The Syrian prime minister also described his visit to Tehran and meetings with the Iranian officials as fruitful and constructive.