Thursday, March 30, 2006

Tataristan and Syria discussed on Thursday bilateral cooperation in the economic field in light of Tataristan capabilities in the oil sector, Tataristan President said.

“ Talks with Syrian officials have centered on bilateral cooperation in economics, culture and tourism fields in light of Tataristan capabilities in the oil domain like drilling as well as in petrochemical and lorries industry,” President Mintimer Shaymiev said in a press conference.

He noted there are big potentials to develop ties between the two countries in the future, as there are capabilities to develop ties between Syria and federal Russia.

The Tataristan President added Syria and Tataristan have joint stances and views over many issues related to bilateral cooperation, noting that his talks in Syria have also dealt with investment in field of industries and air transportation.

President Shaymiev said the Russian investments in Syria are joint and there are licenses to build Joint Russian investments in the industrial city of Hisya near Homs, central Syria.

He evaluated Tataristan investments volume in Syria as about $ 17 million adding that his country would start digging oil fields in Syria one year later.

In a question about pressures put on Syria, President Shaymiev said every country has the right to find his own place under the sun and to serve his own interests.

Prime Minister Mohammed Naji Ottri held a lunch banquet to honor the Tataristan President. Many ministers attended the banquet as well as members of the delegation accompanying President Shaymiev.

Minister of Economy and Trade Amer Hosni Lutfi held talks toady with Tataristan Minister of Trade and Foreign Economic Cooperation Hafez Salehyouv on means on boosting trade, investments and economic ties between the two countries.

“ We in Syria are in need to make use of Tataristan’ s remarkable advance and expertise in some economic and industrial sectors, “ the minister told Salheyouv.

The Tataristan side suggested joint cooperation potentials in fields of oil, petrochemicals and lorries as well as building a factory to collect lorries parts and tiers factory or rehabilitating a tiers factory in Syria due to Tataristn big expertise in this domain.

Tataristan- based oil company Tatnafta has got a contract for oil exploration and drilling in Syria and a Tataristan delegation is scheduled to visit the industrial city of Hisya in Homs to explore prospects of investments there.