Throw-ins and fakes in the media about the discord in relations between Moscow and Damascus in the hands of common detractors, but attempts to quarrel Russia with Syria failed, relations between the two countries are now stronger than ever, Russian Ambassador to Syria Alexander Efimov said.
"Such throw-ins and fakes play into the hands of our common detractors, who are only looking for an opportunity to blacken all the positive that Russia and Syria have managed to achieve in recent years... However, I am sure that they will fail, if not have already failed. This will not help them even get close to the desired result. As you know, "the dogs bark, but the caravan goes on", Efimov said in an interview with the Syrian newspaper al-Watan.
The diplomat stressed that Russian-Syrian relations are stronger than ever, are friendly and strategic in nature and are focused on achieving common goals for the benefit of the Russian and Syrian peoples.
"Unfriendly foreign players failed to realize their goals militarily, tried to exert political pressure on Damascus, strangle it with unprecedented economic sanctions, but still remain with nothing. Today, any means are already in use – we are seeing pathetic attempts to find non-existent flaws in relations between Russia and Syria and to quarrel us," Efimov said.
The head of the Russian diplomatic mission explained that it is possible to talk about Russian-Syrian relations for a very long time, and "only in a positive way". The Syrian Arab Republic has traditionally been one of Russia's key partners and allies, Moscow has supported Damascus in its most difficult moments, and the Soviet Union has played a crucial role in strengthening Syria's defense capability and developing its economic, scientific and educational potential, the Ambassador said.
"Today, the situation is much the same. "A friend is known in trouble." At the most dangerous moment for the Syrian state, it was Russia's resolute support that allowed the Syrians to achieve a radical change in the fight against international terrorism and ensure the return of most of the country's territory to the control of the legitimate Syrian authorities. Our military efforts are complemented by active steps in the international political arena, " Efimov added.
The Russian diplomat noted the high level of economic cooperation between the two countries, which is successfully developing despite the powerful sanctions pressure on both Syria and Russia.
Efimov reminded that Russia is actively involved in major investment projects in Syria. 100 thousand tons of wheat have also been allocated under the Russian government's grant to the SAR, 75 thousand of which have already been received by the Syrian side. Russia also continues to fund UN projects implemented by the WHO, UNDP, FAO, UNMAS, UNICEF and UNFPA totaling more than 20 million dollars. The same amount was allocated by Russia in January 2020 for assistance to Syrians by the UN world food program.
"These examples alone clearly demonstrate that the current insinuations and rumors about a rift in Russian-Syrian relations have no basis in fact. Those who persist in trying to present the cooperation between Moscow and Damascus in a distorted, vicious light, distorting the obvious facts, simply commit information sabotage," Efimov explained.
Source: RIA Novosti
Photo: Russian Embassy in Syria