AMMAN — Syria on Sunday said it reached a memorandum of understanding with Moscow over the fate of Russia’s two bases in the country, agreeing to convert the military facilities into joint training and rehabilitation centers within three months.

 

Quoting the foreign ministry, Syria’s official SANA agency said that the military bases and facilities at Hmeimim Airport and Tartus port would be turned into “joint training and rehabilitation centers, within new arrangements that preserve mutual interests.”

 

Quoting government officials, SANA said that the MoU follows about a year and a half of intensive negotiations led by Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and settles the future status of the Russian facilities at Hmeimim and Tartous.

 

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, according to SANA.

 

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 centres 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.