Syrian Tartus naval baseyria and Russia have reached an understanding to transfer civilian facilities of its bases in Syria to Syrian state control and to convert Russian military bases into joint training centers, the Foreign Ministry said on Sunday. The agreement follows over an year of intensive negotiations led by Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and settles the future status of the Russian facilities at Hmeimim and Tartous bases, a foreign ministry ministry official told Syrian News Agency, SANA. Civilian facilities to revert to Syrian controlUnder 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. Military facilites to become joint training centersThe 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 centers under new arrangements aimed at safeguarding the interests of both countries. The Syrian Foreign Ministry described the agreement as the most significant development since negotiations began about 18 months ago, saying it opens the way for a new phase in Syrian-Russian relations.