Russian Minister of Emergency Situations: Relations with Syria are strategic

Moscow (ST): Russian Minister of Emergency Situations Alexander Kournikov described his country’s relations with Syria as strategic, pointing out that his ministry actively contributed to rescue operations and to sending humanitarian aid to Syria after it was hit by the devastating earthquake last February.

During his meeting today with the Syrian ambassador in Moscow, Dr. Bashar Al-Jaafari, Kournikov referred to the priorities of the Russian-Syrian bilateral cooperation, indicating that it will be embodied in a number of main directions, including the Russian side’s readiness to train and teach Syrian cadres in Russian institutes and universities concerned with emergency situations, referring in this regard to the enrollment of the first Syrian student in 2021 in the Government Fire Fighting Service Academy affiliated to his ministry, expressing readiness to accept more Syrian students in these Russian educational institutions.

Kournikov stressed the need to continue work to establish a legal basis for cooperation between the two sides, pointing out that the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations sent through diplomatic channels a draft memorandum of understanding with the Syrian Ministry of Local Administration and Environment in this regard.

In turn, Al-Jaafari stressed the importance of Russia’s political, moral and humanitarian role, expressing, on behalf of the Syrian government, thanks to Minister Kournikov and the Ministry of Emergency Situations for all their urgent humanitarian assistance, and for sending a rescue team to face the repercussions of the earthquake.

K.Q.