Talks were held at Latakia International Airport on implementing an agreement that reorganizes the status of Russia’s presence on the Syrian coast. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani met with Russian officials during a visit on Friday.
Shaibani was accompanied by Chief of General Staff Major General Ali al-Naasan, Air Force Commander Brigadier General Asim al-Hawari, Navy Commander Brigadier General Mohammed al-Suud and Military Intelligence Chief Brigadier General Hamza al-Hamidi.
The Syrian Foreign Ministry said the talks reviewed the steps required under the agreement and the progress made in its implementation.
New arrangements for civilian and military facilities
The agreement covers Hmeimim Air Base in Latakia and the fourth commercial berth at the Port of Tartus. The arrangement aims to restructure Russia’s presence on the Syrian coast.
Under the plan, civilian facilities will be placed under the administration of the Syrian state and gradually incorporated into the civilian administrative system.
For the Russian military bases, the parties agreed to redefine their existing missions. The facilities are expected to be converted into joint training and qualification centers under new arrangements that take the interests of both countries into account.
The transition is expected to be completed within no more than three months, with the new arrangements entering into force at the end of that period.
The importance of Latakia and Tartus for Russia
Two days before Shaibani’s visit, Syrian military commanders inspected Latakia International Airport and met with Russian military officials.
Latakia Airport was used as one of the main hubs of Russia’s military presence in Syria. After Moscow intervened militarily in Syria in 2015 to support Bashar al-Assad’s government, it turned the airport into an important hub for air operations.
The Port of Tartus also became one of the centers from which Russia maintained its naval presence in the Mediterranean. Syria and Russia reached the agreement providing for the reorganization of Russia’s presence on the coast on August 9, after negotiations lasting approximately a year and a half.
