Syrian-Russian talks on boosting agricultural cooperation

Damascus, (ST) – Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform in the caretaker government Mohammad Hassan Qatana discussed on Wednesday with the Chargé d’Affaires of the Russian Embassy in Damascus Yevgeny Kozlov the cooperation ties between Syria and Russia in the agricultural field, the exchange of products and the development of relations, in a way that serves the interests of the two countries in the coming stage.

The minister stressed the strength and long-standing relations between the two countries and the necessity of developing them, with regard to the economic aspect, especially agriculture, and accelerating the signing of the economic and scientific cooperation agreement that helps organize work and determine procedures to facilitate trade exchange operations. He expressed the ministry’s readiness for all forms of cooperation to push economic relations forward.

Eng. Qatana pointed to the need for fodder, fertilizers, pesticides and seeds, especially potato and vegetable seeds, during the coming period, with the readiness to export many products to Russian markets, according to the agricultural calendar for this year, as the surplus of olive oil will be exported exclusively through small containers, according to standard specifications with the aim of preserving the name of the local product.

The Minister touched on the importance of agreeing on agricultural quarantine systems and unifying health certificate models, preparing an integrated program to enhance and develop plant and veterinary laboratories, and exchanging scientific research to transfer expertise and improve varieties, ensuring increased production and productivity in light of climate change.

Kozlov stressed the importance of developing agricultural relations between the two countries and enhancing cooperation between them, with the aim of increasing production and exchanging products, and the need to hold periodic meetings between technicians to present everything new and overcome all obstacles.

Roman Groshkov, representative of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation in Damascus. He reviewed the most important axes of proposed cooperation and the role of each party to enhance future relations.

The meeting was attended by the Director General of the General Feed Corporation, and the Directors of Plant Protection, Plant Production, Planning, International Cooperation, and Animal Production.

Raghda Sawas