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Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra met Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday during a visit to Moscow, where they discussed military cooperation, Syria’s state news agency SANA reported.
According to SANA, the talks focused on political, military, and economic issues of common interest, with particular emphasis on strategic cooperation in the military industry.
The discussions focused on developing military and technical partnerships to enhance the Syrian army’s defense capabilities and adapt to modern developments in the military industry.
Areas of cooperation included modernizing military equipment, transferring technical expertise and joint work on research and development.
The report said such cooperation would contribute to strengthening Syria’s national defense system and support security and stability in Syria and the region.
The visit is the latest by Syria’s new authorities to Russia since they ousted longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad last December.
Russia has sheltered Assad and his family since they fled the country as militant-led forces advanced on Damascus.
Russia was a key ally of Assad throughout Syria’s nearly 14-year civil war, providing military support that kept his forces in power and carrying out extensive air strikes on rebel-held areas.
In addition to military cooperation, Tuesday’s talks also covered prospects for expanding economic and trade relations, SANA said.
The discussions included supporting reconstruction projects in Syria and encouraging investment.
Despite hosting Assad, Moscow is seeking to build relations with Syria’s new authorities, particularly to secure agreements related to the continued operation of the Hmeimim air base and the Tartus naval base on Syria’s Mediterranean coast, which Russia continues to operate.
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