Enhancing Cooperation with Russia to Rehabilitate Syrian Economy

Moscow, (ST) – During a visit to Moscow, Minister of Communications and Technology Dr. Ali al-Dafeer and Minister of Oil and Mineral Resources, Eng. Ali Ghanem, held a series of meetings and interviews with the Russian officials and private agencies. The two parties agreed on strengthening cooperation in the field of rehabilitation and modernization of the infrastructure of the Syrian economy and starting new projects.

In an interview with local press in Moscow, Minister al-Dafeer pointed out that he discussed the Minister of Communications and Media Nikolay Nikiforov ways of cooperation between the two countries and signed a contract to the development of e-government project in Syria, noting the advanced capabilities of Russia in this area.

“Today we perform the projects that establish the infrastructure sector information”, Dr.  al-Dafeer said.

The Russian side expressed readiness to train competent cadres in Russia or even in Syria,” adding that the Russian side asked for classifying projects required in this regard to enable Russian experts to study them seriously away from the discussion of the issue of funding currently to be distributed to expert Russian companies to implement these projects.

“in implementation of the protocol of joint economic cooperation resulting from the work of the joint Syrian-Russian Intergovernmental Committee, which was signed at the end in last November in Syria, in the presence of Vice-President of the Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin and in implementation of the directives of the Prime Minister we paid this visit to Russia”, Minister of Oil and Mineral Resources said.

“During this period several meetings were held with directors of Russian oil companies operating in Syria in the field of oil, gas and mineral resources where several of the current projects were discussed in accordance with the protocol and agreements listed through it as well as future projects to promote joint action and strategic cooperation with Russia in this vital sector,” the minister added.

“Several related protocol agreements resulting from the work of the Joint Syrian-Russian State Committee were signed,” the minister added.

 The delegation also held a meeting with Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak whereas they discussed all the things related to the oil sector in Syria, including enhancing the prospects of joint cooperation between the two countries in the oil and gas fields and providing the needs to the Syria including oil derivatives and discussion of visions of the future joint action and enhancing joint projects.

“Obstacles that hinder the work of Russian companies in Syria with an emphasis on the need to work to overcome these difficulties, stressing that the Russian side’s full cooperation and response to all proposals that are discussed,” Eng. Ghanem pointed out.

Sh. Kh.