Russian, Syrian defense ministers hold talks in Moscow

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - The Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday that its head Andrey Belousov held a meeting with his Syrian counterpart Murhaf Abu Qasra in Moscow.

Opening the meeting, Belousov said the meeting showed that the military relations between the two countries have "great potential."

"I am glad to see you again in Moscow. We met quite recently during the meeting of the presidents of our countries. And the fact that we are here again at the negotiating table testifies to the fact that contacts between our political leaders and contacts between the military departments of the two countries are indeed substantive, fruitful, and have great potential," he said.

Belousov said the Oct. 15 meeting between the Syrian and Russian presidents, Ahmed al-Sharaa and Vladimir Putin, gave additional impetus to the comprehensive development of relations between the military services.

Abu Qasra thanked the Russian leadership for organizing the talks, saying: "The directions of our interaction are of great importance. And we witness our evolving relationship."