Russia, France send first joint aid mission to Syria

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Humanitarian aid sent by Russia and France arrived in eastern city Ghouta of Syria on Saturday as the two countries' leaders discussed the joint efforts during a phone call.

"Special attention was devoted to humanitarian aspects of the Syrian settlement process, including the implementation of a joint Russian-French initiative on rendering assistance to the population of eastern Ghouta," the Kremlin confirmed in a statement.

The joint operation, also the first between Russia and a Western country, comes after an agreement between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron following talks in Saint Petersburg since May.

May 15, 2018: Cars use the highway extending from Harasta in Eastern Ghouta on the outskirts of Damascus to the northern part of Syria after it reopened to traffic. /VCG Photo

Carrying 50 tonnes of medical aid and humanitarian supplies, the Russian military transport aircraft left the central French city of Chateauroux bound for Syria early Saturday, the Russian defense ministry said.

The aid, including medicine, medical equipment, clothes and tents, will be given to residents of Ghouta, which was retaken by government forces in April after a five-year siege.

"Humanitarian assistance is an absolute priority and must be distributed in accordance with principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence across all Syrian territory without exception," a joint Russian-French statement said earlier.

Putin and Macron also discussed a number of international and regional issues as a follow-up to the talks held on July 15 in Moscow, the Kremlin added.

(Cover: Humanitarian aid are loaded at the former Chateauroux-Deols Marcel Dassault Airport in central France, July 20, 2018. /VCG Photo)

(With input from AFP)