ATHENS (Sputnik) — The United States and Russia will increase cooperation on resolving the conflict in Syria and open the country up for reconstruction, Greece's National Defense Minister Panos Kammenos said Thursday.
"Of course, after the political events in the United States, we will see cooperation between powers such as the United States and Russia, which I think will help resolve the crisis in Syria. This means that Syria, which was destroyed by the war started by Daesh jihadists, will seek help from friends and allied countries for recovering," Kammenos said at a business event in Thessaloniki.
Greece could also take a major part in rebuilding Syria after the conflict ends, he added, stressing that the Defense Ministry is prepared to help Greek construction, defense and supply companies in case they are willing to go into Syria.
The Syrian civil war has been raging for over five years, with all diplomatic efforts by Russia, the United States and other mediators so far failing to completely stop violence. Government forces are fighting opposition as well as terrorists such as Daesh, which is outlawed in many countries, including the United States and Russia.
Prior to the United States ending bilateral cooperation with Russia over Syria in October, US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov brokered a cessation of hostilities in the country.
