Syria Hopes Economic Cooperation With Russia to Match Political Partnership

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Syria hopes that its economic and trade ties with Russia in the near future will match the strong political alliance between the two countries, Syrian Economy and Foreign Trade Minister Mohammad Samer Khalil told Sputnik on Tuesday.

“We hope that our economic cooperation will rise to the level of our political relations. Syria is utterly open to cooperation with Russia: we would only welcome the economic, trade and industrial activities which Russian companies will carry out on the territory of Syria in the future,” Khalil said.

One of the priority areas for cooperation would be the restoration of Syrian infrastructure destroyed by the devastating military conflict in the country, the official underlined.

”Very soon Syria will become the biggest construction site in the world … We give priority to our friends. By mutual efforts, we can rebuild the country. The experience and capabilities of our friends are very useful. We are ready to cooperate with friendly states in investments as well as by setting up joint ventures. Syria has prepared the needed legislation for both ways,” Khalil added.

The economy minister stressed that Syrians and Russians have become brotherly as both nations lost many lives in battles on Syrian soil.

Moscow has been involved in a military campaign, which started in 2015, to help Damascus combat terror groups, as well as humanitarian operations to deliver aid to Syrians in need of basic necessities.