IMPACT OF BILATERAL TRADE AGREEMENTS ON RUSSIAS POSITION AS AN EXPORT PARTNER OF SYRIA

This study aims to identify Russia as an export partner of Syria. In order to accomplish this, the descriptive analytical approach was followed in presenting bilateral trade agreements between Syria and Russia, analyzing the structure and direction of Syrian exports to Russia and comparing with Syria's most important trading partners. Statistical methods were used to prove the hypothesis of the study. The study found that Russia is not considered an export partner of Syria. It achieved rank 13th out of 17 countries included, according to the criterion of export partners. It obtained the first and second rank before and after the Syrian crisis in the year 2011, according to the criterion of import partners. The study suggested that the reason behind that is weak trade agreements signed between the two countries.