Russian President Dmitry Medvedev will pay an official visit to Syria on Monday-Tuesday and will discuss with his counterpart Bashar Assad economic, energy and military cooperation as well as international problems.
Presidential aide Sergei Prikhodko told journalists that the visit would be the Russian head of state's first to Syria, whereas Assad has visited Russia three times, the last time in August 2008.
Russia and Syria established diplomatic relations in July 1944.
Bilateral trade in 2005-2008 grew more than fourfold to reach some $2 billion, but went down some 30% in 2009 during the global financial crisis.
Moscow and Damascus have experience of cooperation in the fuel and energy sector.
Regarding international problems, Medvedev said in an article published by Syrian paper Al Watan that Russia and Syria, along with other states, should create favorable conditions for resetting Arab-Israeli dialogue.
"Discussion of current issues relating to regional security will have a special place at the forthcoming talks," Medvedev said.
He said re-setting relations in the region was of vital importance to Russia.
"Russia, as a permanent member of the UN security council and member of the Middle East Quartet, consistently makes serious efforts to reset Arab-Israeli dialogue."
The president said the international community's agenda includes the challenge of establishing a new, just and stable world order.
On Tuesday evening the Russian president will complete his visit to Syria and depart for Turkey.
MOSCOW, May 10 (RIA Novosti)
