In a sign of growing relations, Syria plans to participate in an honorary capacity in the 2019 Yalta International Economic Forum (YIEF) in the Crimean Peninsula, set for April 17-20. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said he hopes to attend, as Syria and Crimea are seeking to develop their economic ties and encourage joint investments.

Andrey Nazarov, co-chairman of the YIEF Organizing Committee, said Nov. 9 that a Syrian delegation will attend for the second consecutive year. In April, a delegation headed by Syrian Minister of Economy Samer al-Khalil and including 80 businesspeople and representatives of Syrian governmental organizations attended the fourth YIEF. During that forum, Yalta and the Syrian port city of Latakia signed a twin-city relations agreement.

The forum is held annually in Crimea, which until 2014 was part of Ukraine. The gathering is organized by the local government and supported by the YIEF Fund, with direct support from the Russian presidency. Russia controls Crimea.

The activities and visits herald a new stage of cooperation between Syria and Crimea. This developing relationship is prompted in part by Western sanctions imposed on both Crimea and Syria for political and military reasons. Relations between the two have become a subject of discussion in high-ranking circles and ultimately, both sides seek practical solutions to overcome the repercussions of international boycott.