Chairman of the State Duma (lower house of parliament) Defense Committee, Admiral Vladimir Komoedov, has noted that the Chinese military’s desire to upgrade ties with Syria could be the first step towards forming a military and political coalition of non-NATO countries.

“The Chinese military in Syria is the first step towards putting together a serious military-political coalition dominated by countries that are not aligned with the aggressive NATO bloc.

The time has come to form such a coalition,” the lawmaker told journalists on Friday, commenting on a report about the Chinese Defense Ministry seeking to boost military cooperation with Syria. The report cited a statement made by Guan Youfei, Head of the Chinese Central Military Commission’s Office for International Military Cooperation, at a meeting with Syrian Defense Minister General Fahd Jassem al-Freij in Damascus.

Komoedov added that if Russia, China, India and Iran pooled efforts in the Middle East, the problem of liquidating the illegal Islamic state and the terrorism it produces would be resolved within a year.

“It’s not just the powerful military potential of these players but also serious political influence,” the parliamentarian stressed.

According to Komoedov, Russia, China, India and Iran all have common interests in the region, as “peace and stability in the Middle East is needed” for economic and political stability throughout Europe and Asia. “That is why other countries could join the coalition that we are discussing. I am glad that at last there is an understanding on the issue at the highest international level,” the admiral proclaimed.