MINSK, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov and Syrian Minister of foreign affairs and expatriates Bassam al-Sabbagh met in Minsk on Tuesday to discuss bilateral cooperation and condemn Western interference in internal affairs and illegal sanctions.

M. Ryzhenkov noted at the press conference after meeting that Belarus is concerned about the situation in and around Syria, respects Syria's national sovereignty and territorial integrity, supports peace, de-escalation and the cessation of bloodshed, and is ready to continue to provide the necessary support in these areas. He said that Belarus and Syria have developed a high level of cooperation and good relations based on mutual respect and trust, and that the two sides are ready to further deepen cooperation in the political, economic, trade and cultural spheres, as well as on regional and world security issues.

Bassam al-Sabbagh said the two sides condemned interference in the internal affairs of independent countries and illegal sanctions imposed by the West and discussed ways to develop cooperation between the two countries in this context. The two sides also touched upon the situation in the Middle East, condemning Israel's actions against the Palestinian territories and stating the need for an early settlement of the conflict.

During the meeting, the foreign ministers of the two countries signed a joint statement on ways and means to counter, mitigate and eliminate the negative consequences of unilateral coercive measures. The two sides also signed a memorandum of cooperation between the foreign ministries of the two countries to establish a mechanism for regular political consultations on a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues. Enditem.

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