Damascus and Moscow reach a memorandum of understanding regarding the Russian bases in Hmeimim and Tartus

Syria announced that it has reached a memorandum of understanding with Moscow regarding the two Russian bases in Hmeimim and Tartus. In a statement carried by the official news agency SANA, the Media and Communications Department of the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: “After a year and a half of intensive negotiations and talks led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, the fate of the two Russian bases in Hmeimim and Tartus has finally been settled through the conclusion of a memorandum of understanding that outlines the contours of the next phase of relations between the two sides.”

The statement added: “Under the memorandum, the process of reorganizing the Russian presence on the Syrian coast will begin, with the Syrian state assuming management of civilian facilities, foremost among them the Hmeimim airport and the fourth commercial pier at Tartus port, thereby enabling their gradual integration into the civil administration system.”

Regarding military bases and facilities, the two parties agreed to redefine their function, transforming them from military bases into joint training and qualification centers, under new arrangements that safeguard mutual interests.

According to the statement, the memorandum of understanding set a time limit not exceeding three months to complete the conversion process, after which the new arrangements will enter into force. SANA reported that this step represents the most significant development since negotiations began about a year and a half ago, opening the door to a different phase of Syrian-Russian relations.