Damascus, SANA- The strong relations and the strategic partnership between Syria and Russia are not the result of the crisis, but they date back decades ago. Those relations have been deepened and coordinated to include all areas in the recent years, especially in the face of the greatest danger that threatens the whole world which is terrorism.

The celebration of Russia’s 27th National Day for this year comes at a time when Russia is strengthening its position in the world as a stable country. Over the past years Russia focused on building new relations in the international policy based on the balance, pluralism and maintaining the stability and sovereignty of all states.

Russia was keen to implement the principles of international law and the rights of peoples to self-determination without external pressure and interference, based on that Russia had been working to end the crisis in Syria by providing the atmosphere of political solution in addition to the consolidation of the long-term friendship relations between the two peoples in Syria and Russia.

In an interview with SANA, Minister plenipotentiary at the Russian Embassy in Damascus, Elbrus Kutrashev said “The relations between Syria and Russia are distinguished and growing steadily and may now witness the best historical stage in terms of convergence and conformity in views and stances towards the international issues, mainly regarding the reality of the ongoing events in Syria,”

He described the level of understanding between the two friendly countries as “unusual as they are in one trench,” noting that Russia and some other countries such as Iran, China and others stand by Syria and support it as much as possible in all fields, including combating terrorism.

Kutrashev noted that fight against terrorism is a priority in bilateral relations for many reasons, mainly for maintaining Syria’s unity, sovereignty, stability and territorial integrity, asserting that Russia supports Syria to prevent turning this country into a hotbed for international terrorism.

He affirmed the continuation of fight against terrorism in Syria until achieving the final victory.

The Russian Diplomat called for increasing, encouraging and expanding the volume of the trade exchange between the two countries in a way that serves the interests of both sides.

He hailed the Syrian-Russian joint governmental committee for scientific, technical, commercial and economic cooperation in reviving the bilateral relations, particularly under the current circumstances to overcome the coercive unilateral economic measures imposed on the Syrian people.

He pointed out that there are understandings on the necessity of opening the green customs corridor for goods in both directions, especially for the Syrian goods in the Russian markets, indicating to the concern for reducing or even canceling customs duties.

Kutrashev expressed Russia’s desire to participate in the reconstruction of Syria, showing readiness of the Russian capitals, expertise and institutions to invest in Syria.

He concluded that the number of the scholarships granted by Russia to the Syrian students reached 400 scholarships that cover different specializations.

H. Zain/ Ghossoun