DAMASCUS, Sept 9 (AFP) - Syria and Iraq have achieved progress in efforts to tighten security along their common border, visiting Iraqi Interior Minister Falah al-Naqib said here Thursday.
"We are constantly coordinating with our Syrian brothers (on security)," Naqib said. "We are in agreement on all issues, and a very positive development recently took place."
Damascus has repeatedly denied claims by the United States that Syria turns a blind eye when combattants cross the 600-kilometer (350-mile) border into Iraq, and that it backs insurgents fighting US-led forces there.
And on July 24, Iraq and Syria set up a joint committee to oversee security along the border.
At the time, Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Naji Otri said "Syria is opposed to any infiltration across the border, whether towards Iraq or towards Syria."
In May, Washington imposed sanctions on Syria, claiming it was supporting terrorism and undermining US efforts to stabilize and rebuild Iraq.
Naqib, who is in Syria on an unannounced trip, also welcomed what he said was the "very positive stance adopted by Syria toward the Iraqi people" and pointed to "efforts made toward consolidating fraternal ties and cooperation in the fields of security, economy and politics."
In remarks on Tuesay, Syrian Foreign Minister Faruq al-Shara lamented the lack of security in Iraq.
"Everything that attacks Iraq negatively affects Syria, so improvement of the climate in Iraq serves Syrian interests," he said.