Syrian-Russian memorandum of understanding to reorganize Russian presence in Hmeimim, Tartous

A while ago, SANA reported that the Media and Communications Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Syrian Transitional Government had issued clarifications regarding the Russian presence in Syria. It said that the fate of the two Russian bases in Hmeimim and Tartous had finally been decided after nearly a year and a half of intensive negotiations and discussions led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates.

It explained that the two sides had reached a memorandum of understanding outlining the features of the next phase of Syrian-Russian relations and including new arrangements to reorganize the Russian presence on the Syrian coast.

Under the memorandum, the process of reorganizing the Russian presence in the region will begin, with the government assuming management of civilian facilities, primarily Hmeimim Airport and the Fourth Commercial Berth at the Port of Tartous.

The department added that these facilities will gradually become part of the Syrian civilian administration system, as part of the new arrangements agreed upon between Damascus and Moscow.

Regarding military bases and facilities, the memorandum of understanding stipulates, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, that their functions will be redefined, transforming them from military bases into joint training and qualification centers for both sides.

The step comes as part of new arrangements that the ministry said aim to preserve mutual interests between Syria and Russia, while redefining the nature and tasks of the Russian presence on the Syrian coast.

The memorandum sets a timeframe of no more than three months to complete the process of converting and reorganizing the facilities, with the new arrangements set to enter into force after the end of this period.

According to the Media and Communications Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, the memorandum represents the most significant step since the start of Syrian-Russian negotiations around a year and a half ago. It also opens the door to a new and different phase in the nature of relations between Damascus and Moscow, particularly regarding the Russian presence on the Syrian coast.