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Belarus to supply diesel fuel to Syria, buy phosphate material from it

Belarus will supply diesel fuel to Syria and buy phosphate material from it, Belarusian Prime Minister Syarhey Sidorski told reporters in Minsk on Thursday following talks with his visiting Syrian counterpart, Muhammad Naji al-Utri, BelaPAN said.

The premier said that Belarus would "redirect" part of its diesel fuel exports to supply to Syria and the latter would do the same.

"Our economies complement each other and we are looking for new niches to expand trade between the two countries," he said.

Papers governing the technical aspects of the deal were expected to be signed in Minsk on Friday.

The Belarusian premier said that the two countries could supply other goods to each other on a "compensation basis," with Belarus wanting to export hot-rolled pipes of the Belarusian Steel Works and buy Syrian aluminum and cotton.

The talks also focused on the possible participation of Belarusian companies in oil exploration and production in Syria, projects in the machine building sphere, increased cultural ties, the possible training of Syrian athletes in Belarus and plans to launch a direct flight between Minsk and Damask.

The two counties are also preparing to sign an agreement on free trade, according to Mr. Sidorski.

The press office of the Council of Ministers quoted Mr. Sidorski as saying at his meeting with Mr. al-Utri that the Minsk Tractor Works could cooperate with Al-Frat, with the Minsk Engine Plant to supply components to the Syrian company.

He said that Belarus also could export buses to Syria.

The Belarusian premier expressed hope that the ongoing visit of the Syrian delegation "will be substantial and lay foundations for the future visit of the Syrian president to Belarus, which is expected next spring."

The Syrian prime minister, for his turn, said that his country "fully shares the intention of Belarus to increase its presence in the Syrian market by creating joint enterprises and investing into the tractor building and other spheres."

"Petrohemistry, transport and other areas of cooperation are forming the bridge that links the economies of our countries," he was quoted as saying.

The talks wrapped up with the signing of a series of bilateral agreements, including a 2009-2010 cooperation program between the Belarusian sports ministry and the Syrian General Sport Federation, a memorandum of understanding between Belarus' BelTA and the Syrian Arab News Agency and a memorandum of understanding between the two national libraries.