Relations between Russia and Syria today are built on traditions of friendship and mutual understanding that have developed over the decades, Mr Putin noted at the start of the talks.
The Middle East settlement process and how to intensify ties between Russia and Syria were the main subjects of discussion.
During the talks in narrow format between Mr Putin and Mr Assad, the two countries’ delegations signed six agreements on cooperation in various areas. Inter-state oil company Soyuzneftegaz and the Syrian Oil and Natural Resources Ministry signed an agreement on a project to build a basalt-plastic pipe production plant and an agreement on cooperation in the oil and gas sector. Russian Transport Minister Igor Levitin and Syrian Foreign Minister Faruq al-Shara signed an intergovernmental agreement on an international automobile connection. Russian Economic Development and Trade Minister German Gref and his Syrian counterpart Amer Hosni Lutfi signed an intergovernmental agreement encouraging and providing mutual protection for investment. Also concluded were a protocol approving the main parameters for settling the Syrian debt, signed by the two countries’ finance ministers, and a memorandum from a meeting of the Russian-Syrian Business Council.
Talks between Mr Putin and Mr Assad then continued with the participation of both countries’ delegations.
The talks ended with the signature of a joint declaration on deepening the relations of friendship and cooperation between Russia and Syria.