Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (L) met with Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) in Russia's city of Sochi on May 17. (Syrian presidential media office)

MOSCOW, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Russia will continue to help Syria protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Sunday in a congratulatory message to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

"I would like to confirm that Russia will continue to support Syria's government and people in their efforts to protect the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as to ensure national security and post-war reconstruction," Putin said in the message.

Putin added that through joint efforts, "terrorist forces on Syrian soil" will be defeated.

Putin also pledged to promote Russia-Syria relations, adding that it is in the "common interest" of the two countries to boost Russian-Syrian ties.