Syria and Russia have signed a memorandum of understanding to reorganize Moscow’s presence on the Syrian coast, including the future status of its military facilities at Hmeimim and Tartous.

Axar.az reports, citing SANA, that under the agreement, Syria will take control of facilities designated for civilian use, including Hmeimim Airport and the fourth commercial berth at Tartous Port, and gradually integrate them into its civilian administration.

Russian military bases in Syria will be converted into joint training and qualification centers under new arrangements intended to protect the interests of both countries.

The memorandum was reached after around 18 months of negotiations and sets a deadline of no more than three months to complete the transition.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry described the agreement as the most significant development in the negotiations and said it would open a new phase in Syrian-Russian relations.