Russia and Syria to sign an agreement on economic cooperation

Soon Russia and Syria will sign an agreement on economic cooperation, told in an interview with RIA Novosti, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. According to him, each project will be considered separately.

“Now the projects are being considered, the agreement will be signed later within a few weeks, however this item was left to the discretion of each company and each project. Each project will be evaluated separately later. This is part of the mechanism for monitoring the implementation of projects and their success,” the Syrian president said in an interview with the agency.

Assad noted that a number of projects had been discussed by the joint commission during the talks in Moscow over the past few days. “After the signing of the agreement, these projects will be announced, after which interested companies will be able to apply to participate in these projects,” the Syrian president added.

In an interview with RIA Novosti, Assad notedthat this time the meeting of the joint Russian-Syrian commission was different, it was focused on investment projects and the signing of an agreement. According to the Syrian President, Russia and Syria are planning 40 investment projects in such areas as energy, oil, transport, industry, housing construction, etc.

Assad noted that previous meetings of the meeting were not so productive. “This is a new stage in the relationship. The delegation that went to Russia was large, because the work on this agreement lasted not for months, but for years,” the Syrian President said.

The day before, March 15, in the Kremlin took place talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Press Secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov clarifiedthat negotiations between the two presidents began after 17:00 Moscow time. The total duration of the interview was three hours.

During the open part of the meeting, Putin stressed that relations between Russia and Syria are constantly developing, and the leaders of the states are in constant contact. In particular, Putin drew attention to the increase in trade between Russia and Syria by 7% in 2022. Assad also noted that his visit to Moscow “will open up a new aspect in our relationship for the future.” Assad expressed support for Russia in the special operation in Ukraine and thanked for the help in eliminating the consequences of the earthquakes that occurred in early February.

Putin last met with Assad in Moscow in September 2021. Then the Russian leader congratulated the Syrian president on his election victory. The heads of state also discussed the political situation in Syria, the fight against international terrorism and issues of humanitarian cooperation.