Damascus, Aug. 4 (SANA)SyriaandJapanheld their first round of bilateral political consultations in Damascus on Tuesday, discussing ways to expand diplomatic, economic and cultural cooperation, while exchanging views on regional developments.

The Syrian delegation includedMohammad al-Jaffal, adviser to the foreign minister for African and Asian affairs; Nada al-Aswad, director of the Department of African, Asian and Oceanian Affairs; and Qutaiba Qadish, director of the Department of International Cooperation.

The Japanese delegation was led byKeiichi Iwamoto, Director-General of the Middle East and Africa Bureau and Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, and includedAkihiro Tsuji, Japan’s chargé d’affaires in Syria, along with other officials.

According to the two sides, the talks covered diplomatic representation, development cooperation, trade and investment, as well as educational and cultural exchanges.

The delegations also discussed regional developments and agreed to strengthen coordination within international organizations and continue consultations on issues of mutual interest. They reaffirmed support for Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Japanese delegation also reaffirmed Japan’s support for Syria and its people in efforts aimed at development, recovery and reconstruction.