PNN – Following the signing of a memorandum regarding Russian military bases in Syria, Moscow and Damascus have taken further steps—including transferring the management of Latakia Airport to the Syrian side and reaching an understanding on resuming the operations of the “Russian House”—to shape the future relationship between the two nations.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network; the Russian Foreign Ministry noted in a statement published by RIA Novosti on Tuesday that the signing of the memorandum with Syria concerning the Khmeimim and Tartus bases represents a significant step in bilateral military cooperation and strengthens the legal framework for such cooperation within the new context.
The statement reads: Reaching this agreement will provide further impetus for developing the broad spectrum of relations between Russia and Syria—relations rooted in a long history of friendship and partnership.
Earlier, the SANA news agency reported on Sunday that, following a year and a half of negotiations, the future of the Russian military bases at Hmeimim and Tartus has finally been determined, with the parties signing the relevant memorandum.
Expressing hope that the signing of this memorandum would usher in a new chapter in relations between Damascus and Moscow, the Syrian Foreign Ministry stated that the Russian bases would be transformed into joint military training centers operating in the interests of both parties.
The Syrian General Directorate of Ports and Customs announced that it has reached an agreement with Russia under which the Syrian side will assume control of commercial areas at the port of Tartus—previously held by the Russian side—including Pier No. 4 and associated warehouses and facilities.
According to the TASS news agency, Russia operates two military bases in Syria: a Russian Navy logistics base in the port city of Tartus and the Khmeimim Air Base in Latakia province.
Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated during a meeting with Arab journalists that Damascus is interested in maintaining Russian military bases in Syria, although, under new circumstances, they could be repurposed for new missions.
Meanwhile, the Syrian Civil Aviation Authority announced that control of Latakia Airport has been transferred to the Syrian side. According to the statement, the next step involves planning the airport’s reconstruction to enable it to resume international flights.
Separately, Russian news sources reported that a delegation from the Russian Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo) visited Syria.
The agency told the TASS news agency that the “Russian House” in Damascus would resume its operations.
In Damascus, the delegation held talks with representatives from the Syrian Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Culture, reaching agreements on the launch of joint educational, cultural, and scientific projects.
Representatives from the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also visited the Russian House. During the visit, representatives of Rossotrudnichestvo announced their readiness to increase the Russian government’s quota for Syrian students to study at Russian universities.
Ahmad al-Sharaa, the head of the Syrian interim government, had met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow last February to discuss bilateral issues, including the status of the two aforementioned bases.
While Russia and Syria have taken steps in recent days toward a new era of relations, the Damascus Criminal Court sentenced former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to death during its session this Tuesday, convicting him of premeditated murder and incitement to commit mass killings.
At the same time, the Damascus Criminal Court issued an order for the international prosecution of Bashar and Maher al-Assad.