A high level Russian delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov was in Damascus on Jan. 28 to discuss restoration of relations and other issues. Bogdanov, who is also President Vladimir Putin’s special representative on the Middle East and Africa, was accompanied by Alexander Lavrentyev, the President’s special representative on Syria, Both met with Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and others.
“The meeting went mostly fine. It continued for three hours, including the official lunch,” he said. “The talks were mostly constructive, in a good atmosphere. But we realize how difficult the situation is” in Syria, Bagdonov told reporters after the meeting. He added that the Russian delegation has emphasized the “traditionally friendly nature of our relations” and “ties of friendship and cooperation between the peoples of Russia and Syria.... We have also discussed trade and economic ties. We are ready to build mutually beneficial cooperation with Syria.”
“We said that we would always be ready to continue our contacts both in Syria and in Russia. If you feel like doing so, we will be delighted to welcome the [Syrian] foreign minister in Moscow,” Bogdanov noted.
“We expressed our gratitude for the fact that our citizens and facilities were not harmed during the latest events. We expressed hope that this policy will continue, and that our interests in Syria will not be affected,” he said.
On the question of Russian military bases, Bogdanov said: “Nothing has changed. This question requires additional negotiations. We agreed to continue detailed consultations on every subject of our cooperation,” he added.
For their part, the Syrian government issued a statement saying, “The Russian side reaffirmed its support to the positive changes that are now taking place in Syria. The talks focused on Russia’s role in restoring relations with the people of Syria through practical measures, such as compensations and assistance in reconstruction,” the document said. “The new administration also stressed that restoring ties should take past mistakes into account, respect the Syrian people’s will and serve its interests,” the statement says, reports TASS.