Russia seeks comprehensive development of relations with Syria

Russia seeks comprehensive development of relations with Syria with due account of its role in the Middle East region. This statement was made at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ministry's spokesman has also reminded that a meeting has been scheduled on Monday afternoon between the Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and his Syrian counterpart Faruk al-Sharaa who pays a working visit to Moscow. Vladimir Putin is expected to have a meeting with the Syrian Foreign Minister on Monday evening. Faruk al-Sharaa will hand over a personal message of Bashar al-Asad, President of Syria, to the head of the Russian State. The Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman has noted that the Russian-Syrian relations are traditionally friendly -- the foundation of these relations was established at the time of the close cooperation between Syria and the USSR. The Syrians, in their turn, consider Russia as a factor of balance in the region and in the world, they note Russia's special role in the process of the Middle East settlement. The Foreign Ministry spokesman has underscored that the Russian-Syrian ties were noticeably intensified recently. Legal basis is being established for further enhancement of these relations. In particular, agreements on promotion and mutual protection of capital investments and legal assistance are being currently prepared. Besides, agreements on cooperation between the Ministries of the Interior of both countries and on international carriages by motor vehicles have been prepared for signing. Dynamic political contacts have been also maintained. The Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman recalled that Igor Ivanov visited Syria in 1999. The Syrian minister of foreign affairs Faruk al-Sharaa paid visits to Moscow in 1997 and 1999. Igor Ivanov visited Syria twice within the framework of the peace-making mission on the settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in October 2000.

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