Russia and Syria plan to sign an economic pact before the end of the year that is partly aimed at circumventing Western sanctions, Russia's deputy prime minister said on Monday as he led a high-level delegation on a visit to Damascus.
Yuri Borisov said the Russian side is expecting to sign the pact on his next visit in December, adding that it includes more than 40 new projects in the energy sector, reconstruction of a number of power stations and offshore oil extraction.
The agreement, he added, would "outline a new framework for trade and economic ties between the two countries for the coming years "while providing relief from US sanctions, which he said were "strangling" the Syrian people.
Editor:Cherie
