Dialogue seminar in Damascus marking 80 years of distinguished Syrian-Russian relations

“The relations between Syria and Russia have extended over centuries and do not stop at modern and contemporary history. They are comprehensive and interconnected politically, diplomatically, militarily, and culturally”, Imad Mustafa, Director of the Russian Diplomatic Institute in Syria said in a statement to journalists.

He confirmed that this seminar, which the Institute held in cooperation with the Diplomatic Academy in Moscow, was part of the celebrations held in Moscow and Damascus marking this occasion.

“Last week, two important events were organized in Moscow to celebrate this occasion, and then a number of Russian figures came here to share with us our celebrations in Syria. The relationships  between Russia and Syria  flourish every year  so that the annual agenda matches the state of the presidential approach to the title of sustainable friendship between the two countries” Mustafa said.

“Various joint projects in different fields have contributed to strengthening the relationship between the two peoples in both countries. The presence of a large number of students studying in Russian universities has also helped spread the Russian language and learn the Arabic language. Mixed marriages have strengthened family and community ties in both countries” , Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Bassam Sabbagh said in his speech.

He referred to the most important milestones in Syrian-Russian relations, which officially date back to the year 1944, stressing the most prominent of these milestones was during the terrorist war on Syria. He indicated that during the brutal terrorist war on Syria,  the Russian Federation provided great support that was evident in providing assistance for the Syrian Arab Army in confronting terrorism in different part of the country.

“The joint efforts of the two countries in the field of combating terrorism resulted in restoring security and stability to cities and villages where terrorist organizations were wreaking havoc and destruction” Sabbagh expressed.

Sabbagh noted  the role of the two countries in presenting all issues of concern to Moscow and Damascus, indicating that President Bashar al-Assad reiterated Russia’s support in the special military operation carried out by the Russian army in Ukraine.

“Syria and Russia today face common and multiple challenges, foremost among which are the unilateral coercive measures imposed by Western countries, with the aim of exerting political and economic pressure on them” Sabbagh concluded.

In turn, Rector of the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Foreign Ministry Alexander Yakovenko said that “The Syrian-Russian relations have been very strong one. This relation is supported by the personal relationship and continuous communication between President Bashar Al-Assad and Vladimir and the positions of the two countries which are identical in international forums”.

Yakovenko stressed  that the Russian and Syrian armies are today brothers in arms, as Russia supported the efforts of the Syrians in fighting ISIS, pointing out that Russia will continue to stand by the Syrian Arab Army in all its battles because it also has its own battle with terrorism.

Alexander Yakovenko touched on the economic ties between Syria and Russia that contributed to building bridges and vital facilities, reaching about 8 facilities, including the Tishreen Dam in Syria.

For his part, Nikolai Sukhov, Director of the Russian Cultural Center, said “The dialogue seminar on the eighty-year anniversary of the establishment of Russian-Syrian diplomatic relations is an important event that presents many ideas and develops many perceptions and information.

Sukhov stressed that Syrian diplomatic relations are an extension of the long-standing cultural relations between the two countries which today are witnessing a remarkable development, that the Russian Cultural Center seeks to support and maintain its advanced levels.

” The Russian Cultural Center witnesses many activities that support cultural ties at the educational level for children, youth, and the disabled, in partnership with the  Syrian and civil society institutions, in addition to the educational exchange that reached more than a thousand scholarships from Russian universities for Syrian students, and there are about 700 Syrian students studying the Russian language” Sukhov said.

The topics of the seminar were not limited to the political and military aspects, but rather included a cultural and economic aspect.

The writer Nadia Khost made a presentation on the historical, political, military and cultural relations and shed light on the literary bridges that connect the Russian and Syrian peoples, as concerts and cultural festivals which bring together the Syrian and Russian writers.

Dr. Khost also confirmed that the Syrian-Russian relations are not driven by interests, rather, they go deep into common cultural roots, indicating that translating Syrian literary works into the Russian language is not a political or economic decision, and plays of Russian literature take their place in the library and memory of the Syrians away from politics and interests, but rather in line with intellectual and cultural rapprochement between the two peoples.

For his part, Russian economist and historian Mikhail Khazin reviewed the history and the horizons of the economic cooperation between Syria and the Russian Federation and the difficulties facing both countries represented by the policy of unilateral sanctions imposed by the United States. He stressing the ability of Russia and Syria to overcome all economic difficulties, including the dominance of the dollar and the Western economy.