Iran�s foreign minister has said the Islamic Republic�s relations with Iraq and Syria are of a strategic nature, underlining the need to uphold consultations among regional countries to establish lasting security.

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks upon arriving in Damascus for an official visit on Sunday, saying that�he was proud that his first bilateral trip as Iran�s foreign minister was to Syria.
�With the will of the leaders of the two countries, Iran and Syria will take big steps to fight against economic terrorism and to help the two countries' people,� he told reporters.
Iran's top diplomat said the two countries have scored joint victories in the fight against terrorism, noting that his trip to Damascus was aimed at reviewing bilateral ties in various fields of trade and economy as well as other areas of mutual interest.

Amir-Abdollahian�s visit came a day after his participation in the Baghdad International Conference �For Cooperation and Participation� aimed at easing tensions in the region.

Later on Sunday, the chief Iranian diplomat met with his Syrian counterpart, Faisal Mekdad.