MOSCOW, August 1. /TASS/. Tokyo has shown interest in Moscow’s initiatives concerning the return of refugees to Syria, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said following a two-plus-two meeting between the foreign and defense ministers of Russia and Japan.

"We exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East, namely in Syria," he said. "Particular attention was paid to humanitarian tasks, ways to create conditions for the return of refugees. Japan showed interest in Russia’s initiative in this field, including the activities of the Refugee Reception Center that the Russian Defense Ministry set up in Syria with the assistance of the Foreign Ministry," Lavrov added.

"We agreed to continue the consideration of issues concerning demining activities, ways to increase humanitarian aid to the Syrian people and the reconstruction of infrastructure facilities in order to develop joint initiatives and take joint actions in these areas," Lavrov noted.

The guarantors of the Syrian ceasefire - Russia, Iran and Turkey - adopted a joint statement on Tuesday, calling for enhancing humanitarian assistance to Syria and creating conditions for the safe return of refugees.