Iran’s 1st VP visits Syria

Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi arrives in Damascus to attend the 12th Joint Commission of the two countries.

Before his departure, Rahimi told reporters at the Mehrabad International Airport on Thursday that the two-day visit comes at the invitation of Syrian Prime Minister Naji Otri.

Rahimi and Otri co-chair the meeting of the Joint Commission. The commission is aimed at developing economic, political and cultural relations between the two countries.

It is also tasked with following up on the implementation of the agreements previously reached between the two sides.

Rahimi said that several cooperation pacts were to be signed on the sidelines of the meeting.

During the visit, Rahimi will also meet top Syrian officials and will convey the message of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad.

A number of Iranian lawmakers and deputy ministers, as well as several businessmen, accompany Rahimi on his trip to Syria.