Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shayya al-Sudani has called for strengthening cooperation with Syria in the face of issues challenging both countries among them counter-terrorism campaign and security.

Sudani made the remarks at a joint news conference with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the capital Damascus on Sunday, after the two leaders held talks aimed at securing their shared border and bolstering economic ties.

"Iraq and Syria are tied to each other and have common relations. In order to deal with the challenges that Iraq and Syria are struggling with, coordination must be done," he said.

“The key to the security and stability of the region is a good economic situation. … [Our] armed forces stood strong against the terrorists. We and Syria are facing shared challenges," he added.

Sudani went on to say that Iraq and Syria are facing water shortage challenges, emphasizing that the two sides should cooperate to secure their fair water rights. 

“The big challenge is that a large part of the water rights that Syria and Iraq have in the Tigris River is stolen from them," he stated, due to an upstream dam-building by neighboring Turkey.

The Iraqi premier further noted that the two sides agreed to enhance cooperation to reduce drug smuggling.

He also said Iraq supported the lifting of sanctions on Syria, which have been put in place by the United States and European countries since 2011, adding that its doors are open to investors.  

Elsewhere in his remarks, Sudani reaffirmed his country’s commitment to the Palestinian cause, saying Baghdad’s position towards the cause is firm and rejects the Israeli occupation.

The Iraqi prime minister also condemned Israeli airstrikes against Syria. "We emphasize our steadfast position in rejecting and opposing any Israeli occupation in any Arab land. We also reaffirm our rejection of any Israeli attacks on Syria and Lebanon."

Sudani arrived in Damascus on Sunday for a two-day official visit, the first such trip by an Iraqi premier since the outbreak of the Syrian conflict in 2011.

He was received by Assad at the presidential palace in Damascus. 

Assad, for his part, hailed the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), also known as Hashd al-Sha’abi, for their fight against terrorism.