Khartoum, (SANA)-Syria and Sudan on Thursday reiterated strong condemnation of the so-called decision of the international criminal court against the Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashi and rejection of any foreign intervention in Sudan's internal affairs.

Concluding the meetings of the Syrian-Sudanese Higher Committee, the two sides denounced the Israeli brutal aggression on Gaza, expressing deep concern over the continued siege on the Strip.

They called the international community to effectively contribute to reconstructing what has been destroyed by the Israeli war machine in Gaza, and working to lift the siege and open crossing points.

"The just and comprehensive peace in the region won't be achieved except by Israel's full withdrawal from the occupied Arab lands including the Syrian Golan into the line of June 4th, 1967 according to international relevant resolutions and the land-for-peace formula," the two sides added.

The Syrian-Sudanese Higher Committee, headed by Premier Mohammad Naji Ottri and Sudanese vice President Ali Othman Mohammad Taha, crowned its activities by signing 9 agreements and memos of understanding.

Ottri and Taha signed the minutes of the meetings covering cooperation in the fields of international cooperation, labor and social affairs, human resources, women and children affairs, animal wealth, Red Crescent affairs, housing and construction, immigration and passports and activating the joint businessmen council.

In the framework of bilateral meetings between the two sides, Minister of Information Mohsen Bilal discussed with the Sudanese Minister of Information and communications Al-Zahawi Ibrahim Malek means of media cooperation to face pressures and challenges to which Syria and Sudan are exposed to.

Deputy Foreign Minister Fayssal Mikdad also discussed with the Sudanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs Al-Samani al-Wasila Al-Samani bilateral relations between the two countries and means of boosting coordination between them in the regional and international circles.

The Syrian-Sudanese joint Higher Committee started its activities Wednesday at the Friendship Palace in Khartoum, chaired by Syrian Premier Mohammad Naji Ottri and Sudanese vice President Ali Othman Mohammad Taha.

In a speech at the opening session, Ottri conveyed President Bashar al-Assad's compliments to President Omar Hassan al-Bashir of Sudan, and best wishes for Sudan to overcome conspiracies and challenges to which it is exposed.

Prime Minister Ottri underlined Syria's permanent commitment to clear the Arab atmospheres and boost the Arab solidarity. "Syria, as leadership and people, has condemned the international criminal court decision against President al-Bashir, considering it as a flagrant violation of Sudan sovereignty and an intervention in its internal affairs… and the meeting today comes in solidarity with Sudan," Ottri added.

On the latest developments in the Arab region, Ottri said it is impossible to realize security and stability in the region without achieving the just and comprehensive peace based on international relevant resolutions and Madrid Conference that guarantees restoration of the occupied Syrian Golan and the occupied Arab lands into the line of June 4th, 1967.

Regarding cooperation between Syria and Sudan, Premier Ottri said cooperation between the two countries is wide and diverse, adding "so… we have to think and work for exploring its horizons and boosting it in the fields of agriculture, irrigation, oil, industry, health, education, culture and tourism."

In this regard, Prime Minister indicated to the Syrian companies' readiness to help Sudan execute service and developmental projects in the fields of water, drainage, irrigation, roads, bridges and housing.

He called for activating agreements signed between the two countries on avoiding double taxation, encouraging investments and establishing the Syrian-Sudanese company for Roads and bridges.

For his part, the Sudanese Vice President Ali Taha appreciated Syria's stances under the leadership of President Bashar al-Assad towards the Arab issues in general and Sudan in particular, expressing the Sudanese people's pride in the President's strong and courageous stances and in Syria's regional and international role.

He expressed Sudan's support to Syria's stances and its firm right in restoring the occupied Syrian Golan and realizing the just and comprehensive peace in the region.

Taha praised Syrian contribution in boosting and pushing the development process in Sudan forward in different fields, underlining the importance of benefiting from the Syrian expertise in the field of self-sufficiency, agrarian manufacture and establishment of investment and industrial partnerships.

The Syrian-Sudanese Higher Committee underlined the need for activating the work of the Syrian-Sudanese businessmen council, increasing meetings between trade and economic activities and exchanging expertise and information between the two countries.

The Syrian side to the joint Committee's meetings comprised Minister of Agriculture Adel Safar, State Minister for the Red Crescent Organization Bashar al-Shaar, Minister of Economy and Trade Amer Hosni Lutfi, Minister of Interior Bassam Abdul-Majeed, Minister of Information Mohsen Bilal, Minister of Housing and construction Omar Ghalawanji and Deputy Foreign Minister Fayssal Mikdad.

Mazen