Russian ambassador in Damascus: Syrian-Russian relations rise to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership

The Russian Ambassador to Damascus, Alexander Yefimov, confirmed that Russian-Syrian cooperation has risen to a new level of comprehensive strategic partnership, through the two friendly countries’ adopting of identical positions on most international and regional issues and continuing close coordination.

“Russian-Syrian relations have now developed  to a new level of comprehensive strategic partnership, as the two countries adopt identical or close positions on most international and regional issues, and close coordination is taking place in Multilateral forums,” Yefimov said in an article published by RT on Sunday on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the establishment of Syrian-Russian relations .

He recalled that Russia is facing the same smear campaigns that Syria has been exposed to throughout the years of the crisis.

“We value the special relations between Syria and Russia and we are making unremitting efforts to strengthen and develop them” the ambassador added.

He stressed that this spirit of solidarity and cooperation between the Syria and Russia was, once again confirmed, in the congratulatory messages exchanged by the  presidents of the two countries on the occasion of the anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the two sides .

The Russian ambassador praised the great work that was accomplished through decades of fruitful cooperation between the two countries, with the aim of developing the Syrian economy, noting that September 30, 2015 is one of the important dates in modern Russian-Syrian relations, as the Syrian leadership request to provide Russian assistance in combating the international terrorism was responded.

He pointed out that in October 2023, Russia and Syria signed an agreement to expand trade and economic cooperation between the two sides, which contributes to the establishment of dozens of Russian economic projects on Syrian territory in cooperation with Syrian partners, reviewing aspects of Russian-Syrian cultural cooperation to develop cultural and humanitarian ties.

Yefimov stressed that Russian-Syrian cooperation is progressing at a steady pace in the field of studying, preserving and restoring Syrian cultural and historical heritage, including historical monuments damaged during the years of the crisis.

The Russian ambassador pointed to the increasing interest of Syrians in the Russian language, and its inclusion in 2014 in the general educational program of the Syrian Arab Republic as a second foreign language.

In addition, the Russian Language Department began its work at the Faculty of Arts at the University of Damascus, and a center for open education in the Russian language was opened in Damascus, where training courses are held.