MOSCOW, (SANA) – Activities of the 8th session of the Syrian-Russian joint Committee for Scientific, Technical, Commercial and Economic Cooperation concluded activities in Moscow on Friday.

A number of agreements, protocols and memos of understanding covering economic domains were signed between the two sides.

The concluding protocol of the 8th session was signed by Syria's Minister of Finance Mohammad al-Jleilati and Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Khloponin.

Assistant Foreign and Expatriates Minister Abdul-Fattah Ammoura and Special Representative of Russia's President For Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs- Director of the Russian Agency for Cooperation with Foreign Countries in the Scientific and Cultural Affairs Konstantin Kosachev also signed an agreement on establishing cultural centers in the two countries.

Minister Jleilati told SANA's reporter that the protocol stipulates implementing several projects that cover many economic fields with the aim of enhancing bilateral relations.

For his part, Khloponin stressed the importance of bolstering the scientific cooperation and between the two countries.

He added, in statements made to SANA, that the concluding protocol contains specific agendas to promote bilateral cooperation in the fields of energy, petroleum, electricity and advanced technology in addition to the humanitarian aspects.

"We stressed that Syria is suffering from a complicated situation as a result of the imposed sanctions. Russia is committed to supporting and backing Syria's people and leadership and stresses that the crisis in Syria should be settled by the Syrians only with no foreign interference of any form," Khloponin said.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister: Moscow is Convinced that Syria Can Establish Stability in the Country

The Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Khloponin said that Moscow is convinced that Syria can take the necessary measures to establish stability in the country.

During the session of the Syrian-Russian Committee for Scientific,Technical, Commercial and Economic Cooperation, Khloponin added ''We are convinced that the Syrian authorities can take the necessary measures to establish stability as soon as possible, based on the reforms and dialogue with the opposition powers that reject violence.''

The Russian official said that Moscow will continue to offer necessary support to achieve that end. He added that Damascus is Russia's key partner in the Middle East, expressing trust that Russia's cooperation with Syria will be further enhanced, adding that Russia is closely following the situation in Syria and can never be indifferent to the situation there.

M. Nassr/ M. Ismael