North Korean vice foreign minister Pak Myong Guk in a meeting in Damascus on Wednesday expressed interest in contributing to Syria’s post-war reconstruction, the Syrian Arian News Agency (SANA) reported, while also saying the two countries must cooperate in the face of economic sanctions.

The comments reportedly came in a meeting between Syria’s Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister Dr. Fayssal Mikdad and Pak, who is visiting both Syria and Iran — as well as Azerbaijan and Mongolia — this week.

“Pak Myong Guk hailed the achievements realized by the Syrian Arab Army and the steadfastness of the Syrian people in the face