After more than 12 years, the Iraqi Prime Minister arrived in Damascus to meet with the Syrian President on an official visit.

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA): This morning (Sunday, July 16), Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani left Baghdad for Damascus.
 
According to Iran Press, the presidents of Syria and Iraq attended the press conference after meeting and talking with each other.
 
Bashar al-Assad, the president of Syria, first pointed out the historical depth of the relations between the two countries and said: "I welcome the Prime Minister of Iraq.”The brotherly country of Iraq stood by Syria during the war against terrorism and rejected all the justifications of the aggressors against Syria."
 
Bashar Assad continued: "We have a long and common history of the Iraqi people standing by the side of the Syrian people in difficult situations. Iraq was the voice of the Syrian government and people in different circles. "This country stood by our country during the calamity that came to Syria after the earthquake and provided a lot of help."
 
He also added: "We salute the Iraqi army and Al-Hashd al-Shaabi for fighting terrorism." The challenge of terrorism is one of the most important challenges we are facing in the region. I spoke with Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani about the situation of the Arab countries and the challenges of the region. The situation in the Arab countries is now in a positive state. "We discussed economic relations and action to develop them."
 
But on the other hand, the Prime Minister of Iraq said: "Iraq and Syria are tied to each other and have common ties. In order to deal with the challenges that Iraq and Syria are struggling with, coordination must be done. The security and stability of the two countries are two factors that cause greater cohesion to face our other challenges. "Iraq supports Syria."
 
Mohammad Shia al-Sudani continued: "The key to the security and stability of the region is a good economic situation. Terrorism has retreated and failed in Iraq. Iraq has always tried hard to return Syria to the Arab League. Our armed forces stood strong against the terrorists. "We and Syria are facing common challenges."
 
At the same time, the Iraqi Prime Minister said: "The Iraqi people are proud of the stability of the Syrian people in the face of the most severe terrorist attack. Iraq and Syria are facing the challenge of water shortage, and we must cooperate to ensure fair water rights. "We agreed on the creation of a mechanism to fight against drugs."
 
This trip takes place while no prime minister from Iraq has visited Syria since 2011. Following the cancellation of the suspension of Syria's membership in the Arab League and the presence of President Bashar al-Assad at the Arab League summit, Arab countries are returning to normal relations with Damascus one after the other.
 
The Arab League, in its extraordinary meeting on the 7th of May of this year, which was held at the level of foreign ministers, agreed to lift the suspension of Syria's membership in the meetings of this league, and in this way, after about 12 years of Arab countries cutting off relations with Damascus, Syria After the civil war in this country, it returned to its position in the Arab League.
 
The President of Syria also participated in the 32nd Arab Summit in Jeddah on the 19th of May, and during this trip he met and talked with many officials of the Arab countries, including the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman. This was the first appearance of Syrian officials in an Arab meeting, after the decision of the Arab League to return Damascus to this regional body.