RPT: PREVIEW - Fifth International Economic Forum To Start In Crimean Resort City Of Yalta On Thursday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th April, 2019) The fifth anniversary Yalta International Economic Forum (YIEF), which annually brings together high-profile Russian and foreign politicians and businessmen, will open in the Crimean resort city on Thursday and will run through Saturday.

The YIEF is an annual business event and one of the four biggest economic forums held in Russia. The organizers expect more than 3,000 participants from about 100 countries. The forum features sessions on international cooperation, investment, tourism, regional development projects, economy and finance, real estate and construction projects.

Cooperation between the Russian Republic of Crimea and Syria will be one of the main focuses of the forum. The large Syrian delegation is expected to come to Yalta, including Syrian Economy Minister Mohammad Samer Khalil.

Georgy Muradov, the deputy prime minister of the Crimean government, told Sputnik earlier this year that Russia will discuss establishing direct flights between Crimea and Syria, as well as enhancing cooperation in education, economy, and tourism.

In October 2018, a Crimean delegation paid a working visit to Syria, following which the sides signed a memorandum on economic cooperation and agreed upon a joint action plan. In December 2018, Muradov announced the establishment of the joint Crimea-Syria trading house, adding that it would be a part of Crimea's free economic zone.

The head of Belgian delegation and honorary member of the Belgian parliament, Frank Creyelman, told Sputnik that a range of Belgian officials and businessmen will visit the forum.

The representatives of TUI travel company, who are interested in establishing direct flights from Brussels to Crimea and other businessmen will also come to Yalta.

A large delegation from the German Bundestag is expected to attend forum. At least five politicians from Alternative for Germany (AfD) political party and German business representatives will take part in the sessions.

The organizers of the forum pointed out that the German delegation would also visit different areas of the Crimean peninsula. Apart from other things, the delegation will contribute to arrangement of a lapidarium near a catholic church in a village in Simferopol Region.

The AfD party has repeatedly called for changes in the EU-Russian relations, arguing that the Western sanctions against Moscow, imposed in light of Crimea's reunification with Russia, should be lifted as soon as possible. During the forum, the Friends of Crimea international association, comprising members from more than 30 counties, will hold a session to discuss this and other issues of international cooperation.

The forum is sponsored by the Government of the Republic of Crimea and the Yalta International Economic Forum Fund with the support of the Administration of the Russian President.

In 2018, the forum attracted over 600 foreign visitors from over 70 countries.