Syria to become top DPR partner at sea: FM
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Syria and the Donetsk People's Republic are increasing trade cooperation following the liberation and rebuilding of the Mariupol port.
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Cranes are seen in the Azov Sea port of Mariupol
Trade between Syria and the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) will see the two parties trading metals, industry, machinery, and agriculture, DPR Foreign Minister Natalya Nikonorova told TASS on Thursday.
Damascus may become one of the DPR's main sea trade partners, Nikonorova added.
"Sea trade is reviving before our eyes, and Syria may become one of our key trade partners. Specialists in this field suggest that joint trade turnover may include metals products, the products of machine building, agriculture," she said.
Following its liberation from Ukraine, the DPR's authorities reconstructed the port of Mariupol and rendered it fully operational once again, she noted, despite the damage it sustained at the hands of Kiev's forces.
"The plan is to load around half a million tonnes of products through the port by yearend," the foreign minister revealed.
Syria became the first Arab nation to declare its intention of recognizing the independence of the DPR as well as its sister republic, the Lugansk People's Republic.
"Applying to the common will and desire to establish relations in all fields, the Syrian Arab Republic decided to recognize the independence and sovereignty of the Lugansk People’s Republic and the Donetsk Peoples Republic," an official source in the Syrian Foreign and Expatriates Ministry said.
The official source noted that "communications will be held with both countries to agree on frameworks for enhancing relations, including establishing diplomatic relations in accordance with the well-known rules."
Syria was also among the first countries in the world to voice support for the Donbass republics, with Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad saying on February 22 that Damascus supported the recognition of the DPR and LPR while affirming the Syrian people's solidarity with the two republics.
The Syrian decision came just under a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the independence of the Lugansk and Donetsk People's Republics, signing a decree into law declaring them as independent and sovereign.
