The Syrian government is in talks with Russia and Belarus on new loans to boost economic development. Syrian Prime Minister Wael Nader Halqi expressed hope that Russia would positively respond to the request.

DAMASCUS (Sputnik) – The Syrian leadership is discussing the possibility of new loans from Russia and Belarus to boost economic development in the country, Syrian Prime Minister Wael Nader Halqi told Sputnik.

“We are continuing talks with Russia and Belarus on new credit lines to help us meet the production demand and create new opportunities to boost the domestic market and the economic process [in the country],” the prime minister said.

Halqi expressed hope that Russia would positively respond to the request from the Syrian government and would support the Syrian position "to cope with the brutal attacks which include the unjust economic sanctions imposed by the West."

The prime minister added that a new agreement between Syria and Iran in the humanitarian sphere, as well as in the oil and gas industry was also signed today.

Damascus and Moscow are also in talks on the possibility of the accession of the Arab Republic to the Eurasian Economic Union and a free customs zone, he added.

"Talks are being held with the Russian side on [Syria’s] joining the Eurasian [Economic] Union and free customs zone. We see this as a benefit and the strengthening of relations with friendly states, which would facilitate economic and trade interactions with them,” Halqi said.

Moscow and Syria have signed a number of agreements on the construction of gas processing plants, irrigation facilities and electrical substations, the prime minister said. In 2013, the two countries reached a deal on the development of Syrian coastal oil fields by Russian partners, he added.

The Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) is an international organization, which streamlines the movement of goods, services, capital and labor between Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia. The Kyrgyz government signed an accession treaty to the EEU but the move has not yet been ratified by all the current members of the union.