Crimean delegation paying visit to Syria

Crimea’s delegation led by the republic’s head Sergey Aksyonov arrived on a visit to the Syrian capital of Damascus today.

Syrian Economy Minister Mohammad Samir Khalil welcomed the delegation at the airport, voicing confidence that the upcoming talks would be successful. "We have truly friendly relations. I’m sure that the visit will be fruitful and we will leave with good practical results," TASS cited Aksyonov as saying.

Aksyonov said that Crimea plans to supply its goods to Syria, including flour and electronic equipment. He added that preliminary talks on delivering goods manufactured by Crimean enterprises to Syria were held during the Yalta International Economic Forum.

The delegation consists of Chairman of Crimea’s parliament, the State Council, Vladimir Konstantinov, Deputy Prime Minister Georgy Muradov and Vitaly Nakhlupin, a member of the upper house, the Federation Council, from Crimea Olga Kovitidi, Minister for Industrial Policy Andrei Vasyuta, Minister of Resorts and Tourism Vadim Volchenko, Culture Minister Arina Novoselskaya and other government members.

The visit will last two days. The first day’s agenda includes Aksyonov’s talks with Latakia’s Governor Ibrahim Al-Salem, a meeting of the Syrian-Crimean commission for bilateral cooperation and a visiting session of the fifth Yalta International Economic Forum, due to be attended by Secretary of the Union of Syrian Chambers of Commerce Muhammad Hamsho and Chairman of the Damascus Chamber of Industry Samir al-Dabbas. The participants will focus on fostering joint projects in construction, agriculture, industry and transportation.