Syria and Russia have reached a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to reorganize Moscow’s presence on the Syrian coast, including transferring civilian facilities to Syrian state management and converting Russian military bases into joint training centers, the Foreign Ministry said on Sunday.

The agreement follows about a year and a half of intensive negotiations led by Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates and settles the future status of the Russian facilities at Hmeimim and Tartous, the Ministry’s Media and Communications Department told Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).

Under the Memorandum, Syria will assume management of facilities designated for civilian use, including Hmeimim Airport and the fourth commercial berth at Tartous Port, allowing them to be gradually integrated into the country’s civilian administration.

The two sides also agreed to redefine the role of facilities currently used for military purposes, with Russian military bases to be transformed into joint training and qualification centers under new arrangements aimed at safeguarding the interests of both countries.

The Memorandum sets a deadline of no more than three months to complete the transition, after which the new arrangements will take effect, according to the Ministry.

The Foreign Ministry described the agreement as the most significant development since negotiations began about 18 months ago, saying it opens the way for a new phase in Syrian-Russian relations.

Meanwhile, Syria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani toured Latakia International Airport and Tartous Port on Sunday following this landmark agreement between Syria and Russia.

Al-Shaibani, accompanied by a delegation, inspected facilities covered by the memorandum of understanding between Syria and Russia, which sets out new arrangements for civilian and military installations previously associated with the Russian presence, the foreign ministry said on its Telegram channel. (SANA; Photo © SANA)