Syria's Shibani talks defense, economic ties with Russia's Putin during Moscow visit
The visit is the second to Russia for Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani and Defense Minister Maj. Gen. Murhaf Abu Qasra, and follows other signs of rapprochement.
Russian President Vladimir Putin received Syria's top diplomat and its top defense official for talks in Moscow on Tuesday to go over ways to enhance the Syrian military's capabilities.
Syria’s foreign minister, Asaad al-Shibani, and Defense Minister Maj. Gen. Murhaf Abu Qasra discussed "ways to advance [the bilateral] military and technical partnership in a manner that strengthens the defensive capabilities of the Syrian Arab Army and keeps pace with modern developments in military industries." The conversation covered the upgrading of military equipment, technical expertise and cooperation on research and development, Syria's official news outlet, SANA, reported.
The three additionally discussed political relations between Syria and Russia, as well as efforts to expand ties regarding reconstruction, trade, infrastructure and development, per the outlet.
The Syrian delegation, which also included members of the country’s intelligence directorate, arrived in Moscow on Tuesday.
