Russia will continue to cooperate with Syria despite sanctions

The sanctions introduced by some countries against Syria are not a

reason to stop joint programs, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on

Thursday.

This was the response of Russian diplomats to the information

that Syria had asked Russian for a loan, RIA Novosti reports.

The Foreign Ministry reminded that in the last months there had been several

discussions of the economic and scientific cooperation between Russia

and Syria.

"We discussed questions of cooperation with Syria in the spheres of

oil and gas, energy, transport and agriculture.  We want to note that

financial and investment cooperation, including loans, is no

exception and is considered according to the procedure," the

Ministry said.