Syrian, Chinese Oil Cooperation

DAMASCUS, (ST) – The Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Ali Suleiman Abbas, discussed on Monday with the Chinese Ambassador in Damascus Zhang Xun prospects of joint cooperation in the oil and gas sector.

During his meeting with Mr. Xun, the minister pointed out that the ministry began to make plans for the rehabilitation of infrastructure and follow-up prospecting and exploration of land and sea, expressing his appreciation for the continuation of the Chinese companies to operate in spite of the current circumstances and the unjust economic embargo on Syria.

“Companies of friendly countries will have priority in the available investment opportunities soon, calling on the Chinese companies to invest in Syria,” Mr. Abbas added.

For his part, the Chinese ambassador pointed to the possibility of creating numerous opportunities for cooperation with the Syrian side in light of the positive developments that began to appear on the ground.

Mr. Xun confirmed that the work is underway to encourage the Chinese companies to invest in the Syrian market, especially in the oil sector through defining these companies on available investment opportunities for the common interest of the two countries.

 Later on, the Minister of Electricity Imad Khamis met the Chinese Ambassador and confirmed Syria’s desire to develop distinguished relations with the Peoples Republic of China and push them to wider horizons of joint cooperation in various fields, especially in the sector of electricity, which has had the largest share of assaults and vandalism in the war targeting Syria.

 The Minister, during the meeting, thanked the Chinese Ambassador government and people for their stand to the side of the Syrian people and expressed his appreciation for the role of the ambassador in overcoming all difficulties to complete the implementation of the contracts that have been signed with the Chinese companies.

For his part, the Chinese Ambassador pointed to the depth of bilateral relations between both countries and peoples, expressing his thanks and appreciation to the Syrian government for the facilities provided to him during his tenure, stressing the importance of developing the bilateral relations between the two countries in the various fields.

The ambassador emphasized that what is happening in Syria is a battle on the identification of new rules of the international community, expressing his understanding of the difficulties facing Syria and that his country’s position will not change from the crisis in Syria, wishing the end of the crisis and the return of peace to Syria and the Syrian people in the near future.

Sharif el -Khatib