TEHRAN -- Iran and Syria have signed agreements according to which Iran will increase the value of the technical services it provides to Syria from $1 billion to $3.5 billion, Iranian First Vice President Parviz Davudi told reporters at Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport on Saturday upon his return from an official visit to Damascus.

The Iranian first vice president traveled to Damascus to attend the tenth session of the Iran-Syria Economic Commission, which is co-chaired by Davudi and Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Naji al-Otari.
Davudi said he met the Syrian president, prime minister, and other officials for discussions on economic plans and major regional problems, such as the Israeli attacks on Gaza, the need to unite Palestinian groups, and the Lebanon and Iraq crises.
The two countries have signed 11 memorandums of understanding, and joint economic, industrial, cultural, and banking committees have been established, he stated.
Arrangements have also been made for Iran to help construct a refinery in Syria, he added