The agenda covers the current state and future of Russia-Syria political, trade, economic and humanitarian ties, as well as the situation in the Middle East.
At the meeting, Russia was also represented by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Maxim Oreshkin, Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov, Defence Minister Andrei Belousov, and Head of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Federation Armed Forces – Deputy Chief of the General Staff Igor Kostyukov.
The talks continued later at a working breakfast.
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Beginning of Russia-Syria talks
President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr President,
Colleagues,
We are delighted to welcome you to Moscow.
Over the past decades, our countries have built a special relationship. We have maintained diplomatic ties for more than 80 years, first established during a very difficult period for Russia and the Soviet Union, in 1944.
Throughout this time, Syria and Russia have always maintained a very friendly relationship. In Russia’s relations with Syria, we have never been guided by any momentary political considerations or vested interests. At all times, and throughout these decades, the interests of the Syrian people have remained our sole guiding principle.
In fact, we have forged deep-running ties with the Syrian people. Suffice it to say that hundreds, if not thousands, of people have married or become friends. Today, over 4,000 young people from Syria are enrolled in Russia’s higher education institutions. I hope that they will go on to make a meaningful and substantial contribution to promoting and reinforcing Syrian statehood.
I know that only recently – on October 5, I believe – there was a parliamentary election. It is my belief that it was a great success since it can help consolidate society. These may be challenging times for Syria, however, holding an election could help all political forces in Syria work together more effectively and strengthen their ties.
Mr President, the Intergovernmental Commission has been working since 1993, I think, and it is about to resume its work.
Thank you for receiving our inter-agency delegation, headed by Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Novak. There are quite a few interesting and useful undertakings on its agenda. As for us, we stand ready to do everything to fulfil them, along with our agreements to maintain regular contacts and consultations through the Foreign Ministry.
We are delighted to see you. Welcome to Russia.
President of Syria Ahmed al-Sharaa (retranslated): Thank you very much, Mr President. Thank you for your hospitality. We have managed to come here without undue fatigue, so we can say it was a productive journey.
Mr President, we are indeed bound by long-standing historical ties between Russia and Syria. Today, we are living in a new era for a new Syria. We are presenting this new Syria to the world, and the world is coming to know a new Syria.
We are striving to advance our political objectives, and we understand that, as I have already noted, we are bound by historical ties. Russia will play a major role in this process. We also build upon the many achievements that Russia has enabled us to realise; it has assisted us in various areas. We are connected by robust bridges of cooperation, including practical and material cooperation.
We will continue in this manner in the future. We will seek to revitalise the entire spectrum of our relations and to introduce you to the new Syria. The most important priority now, of course, is stability – both within our country and in the region as a whole.
I would like to thank you once again for the warm welcome and for the invitation to visit Russia. Thank you, Mr President.
Vladimir Putin: Thank you.
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