Russians hail visit of President al-Assad to Moscow

Chairman of the Union Eurasian Party in Russia Alexander Dugin on Saturday described the upcoming visit of President Bashar al-Assad to Federal Russia as historic and very significant.

In a statement to SANA news agency in Moscow, Dugin hoped the visit would be a success and reach to positive and fruitful outcome in different scopes in the interest of the two friendly peoples.

"Syrians are a peace-loving people who work to keep their country's sovereignty and political independence as well the restoration of Israeli occupied lands," Dugin said.

He called to provide Syria with the international support to face threats and pressures undermining that security and stability in this region which also effect the Russian national security. He also urged to achieve the just and compressive peace the region which is based on the international resolutions.

Former Russian ambassador in Damascus Victor Goguitidze told SANA the forthcoming visit of President al-Assad to Moscow would give a push as to reactivate ties between Russia and Syria in various trade, political, and economic scopes.

He underlined the importance of Syria in the Mideast peace process and stressed that Ariel Sharon is the main hinder to achieving just and comprehensive peace in the region.

On the other hand, Director of the Oriental Institution affiliated of the Russian Academy of Science, Rostislav Rybakov, said the upcoming visit of President al-Assad to Moscow would contribute in deepening and consolidating ties between the two countries.

"The visit will allow room of discussions for many joint issues in bilateral relations in addition to regional and international issues of mutual interest," Rybakov said.

He told SANA ties of friendship linking Syria and Russia are ancient and historical and this visit would contribute in cementing friendship and cooperation ties between the two countries.

Rybakov denounced the double standard policy in international relations mainly those related to Israel's nuclear weapons emphasizing at the same time the need to adopt a unified position over it and the need to implement the UN resolutions and the international legitimacy.

President al-Assad is scheduled to make a state visit to Russia from Jan 24 till Jan 27.