London, Asharq Al-Awsat—Ali Jannati, the Iranian Minister for Culture and Islamic Guidance, announced on Saturday that Iran and Syria have signed a memorandum of understanding to expand their cultural and media cooperation.

“A joint Arabic TV channel will be launched by two countries, aimed at counterbalancing the spread of religious radicalism across the region,” Jannati said.

The bilateral agreement also encourages two sides to disseminate Friday prayer sermons given in both countries, Jannati added.

Iran and Syria will establish a cultural committee to study and address the disagreements between Sunnis and Shi’ites, the Faraa-Ru news website is reporting. The committee will be tasked with bringing together the main two sects of Islam and decreasing sectarian tension in the region.

Abdul Sattar Al-Seyed, the Syrian Minister for Awqaf (Religious Endowments), is visiting Tehran for a three-day trip.