Building bridges! Syria asks for free trade zone with Russia

© Reuters / Brian Snyder

Syria has applied to be part of a free trade zone with Russia. The proposal will be discussed at a Eurasian Economic Commission's (EEC) session, scheduled for December 23.

Russian Deputy Economic Development Minister Aleksey Likhachyov said Friday that Syrian authorities submitted an application earlier in October. He said talks on forming a free trade zone had been held before the war erupted in Syria.

Syrian Finance Minister Ismail Ismail said Friday during a session of the Russian-Syrian Intergovernmental Commission in Sochi.

During the meeting the parties discussed bilateral projects in the areas of trade, agriculture and energy, TASS reported.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin stressed Russia is willing to assist Syria.

he said, noting that this is the case when economic cooperation is vital in the struggle of the Syrian people for their own state and for full control over its national territory.

He believes that the main task today is to

Likhachyov said the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) session, tentatively planned for December 23, will focus

he said.

Syria has been going through a civil war since 2011. The fighting between government troops and militants has claimed the lives of more than 100,000 people, with millions having fled the country. According to the UN, the damage inflicted on Syria's economy during the civil war is estimated at more than $140 billion.