Damascus, June 29 (SANA)Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad Hassanal-Shaibanireceived an Iraqi delegation led byIraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Husseinat Tishreen Palace in Damascus on Monday for talks on strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation across a range of sectors.

The meeting comes as the two neighbors are seeking to enhance cooperation and deepen coordination on issues of mutual interest.

The talks reflect ongoing efforts byDamascus and Baghdadto expand political and institutional cooperation and promote closer coordination on regional and bilateral issues.

Syria and Iraqmaintain longstanding political, economic and social ties and have in recent months intensified high-level contacts aimed at advancing cooperation in areas including security, trade, energy, transport and border coordination.