The North Korean and Syrian foreign ministries agreed in meetings in Pyongyang on Monday to boost economic cooperation in order to counter the effects of international sanctions on both of their countries, the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) reported.

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was also signed “on establishing a committee for political consultation… to enhance communication and coordination regarding all issues of mutual interest,” according to the MOFA.

The agreement was signed between DPRK Minister of Foreign Affairs Ri Yong Ho and his Syrian counterpart Walid al-Moallem, who arrived in Pyongyang last Friday.

Both sides in the talks