MOSCOW – Russia is holding talks with Syria’s transitional government regarding the future of its military installations in the country, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin said yesterday, according to RIA Novosti.
Vershinin stated that the ongoing discussions include a comprehensive dialogue on the Hmeimim Airbase and Tartus Naval Facility, both located along Syria’s western coast.
“We relate to the people of Syria by very long-term traditions of mutually respectful relations. The dialogue continues. We are talking about a dialogue that considers the interests of both sides,” Vershinin said, adding that Russia places great importance on maintaining long-standing ties with the Syrian people.
The announcement follows comments earlier this week by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who confirmed that he had invited Assad al-Shibani, Foreign Minister in the transitional government, to visit Moscow.
Lavrov also noted that, following a suggestion by his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan, a trilateral meeting with Syrian officials took place in Antalya, Turkey in April.
Related: Lavrov: Syrian Foreign Minister Is Invited to Visit Russia
Russia has welcomed the recent lifting of U.S. sanctions on Syria and reiterated its longstanding opposition to economic restrictions imposed on Damascus, which it has frequently described as counterproductive.
In March, European and Syrian officials told The Wall Street Journal that Moscow is seeking to secure its military footprint in Syria through new long-term agreements in exchange for economic aid and investment.
According to those reports, negotiations have included offers of billions in cash, as well as Russian investment in Syrian gas fields, ports, phosphates, hydrocarbons, and the resumption of stalled construction projects like the Tartus port expansion and a fertilizer plant in Homs.
The talks reportedly began in January when Mikhail Bogdanov, Russia’s deputy foreign minister and special envoy to the Middle East, visited Damascus.
Sources also revealed that the new Syrian leadership expressed interest in “turning a new page” in ties with Moscow — including a possible formal apology from Russia for its role in the bombing of civilians during the civil war.
One controversial aspect of the discussions, according to the WSJ, included a request by Damascus for Russia to hand over deposed President Bashar al-Assad, a proposal Moscow reportedly refused to entertain.
