Syria and Russia have signed a memorandum on reorganizing the Russian presence on the Syrian coast, including the transfer of civilian facilities to Damascus' control and the transformation of Russian military bases into joint training centers, SANA reports, citing the Syrian Foreign Ministry.

The agreements were the result of about a year and a half of intensive negotiations conducted by the Syrian side. They define the future status of Russian facilities in Hmeimim and Tartus.

According to the memorandum, Syria will assume control of facilities intended for civilian use, including Hmeimim Airport and the fourth commercial berth at the port of Tartus. They are to be gradually integrated into the country's civilian infrastructure.

At the same time, the parties agreed to change the purpose of the facilities used for military purposes. Russian military bases will be transformed into joint Russian-Syrian training and professional development centers.

No more than three months have been allotted for the transition process, after which the new agreements will take effect.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry called the agreement the most significant result of negotiations with Russia over the past 18 months and said it opens the way to a new stage in relations between the two countries.