ISTANBUL
Russia and Syria are discussing Moscow's presence in the country, including the possibility of reorganizing Russian military facilities, the Foreign Ministry said Wednesday, as both sides seek to cooperate on oil, energy, and reconstruction projects.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said discussions on the matter are taking place as part of a broad bilateral agenda.
“Our bilateral agenda with Syria covers a wide range of issues related to Russian-Syrian cooperation. Our military presence in Syria is also discussed, including in the context of the possible restructuring of Russian military facilities. Naturally, such issues and contacts are conducted behind closed doors,” Zakharova told reporters.
She noted that the Russian Defense Ministry is the main body responsible for such issues.
“We’ve said everything we could on this matter. Dialogue, including between the two countries’ military departments, will continue, and we’ll keep you informed as soon as possible,” she added.
Russia maintains two key military facilities in Syria -- a Navy logistics base in the port city of Tartus and the Khmeimim airbase in Latakia province.
Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said Moscow is ready to participate in developing Syria’s oil fields and expand cooperation in energy and reconstruction, following talks between President Vladimir Putin and Syrian Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Moscow.
“Russian companies have been working in Syria for a long time, in oil fields: there are fields that require development, there are those that have been mothballed, and there are new fields. We are also ready to participate,” Novak told reporters, as cited by the state-run Tass news agency.
He said discussions between President Vladimir Putin and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa -- paying his first official visit to Russia on Wednesday -- focused on joint projects and restoring Syria’s transport and energy infrastructure.
“We generally agree that Syria is currently in need of reconstruction. They have a lot of destroyed infrastructure: energy, rail, and transport infrastructure. And Russia can provide support here,” he said.
Novak added that humanitarian supplies were discussed, saying: “In particular, the Syrian side is interested in receiving wheat, food, and medicine. These issues will be worked on.”
He said both sides agreed to convene a meeting of an intergovernmental commission “in the near future” to discuss trade, economic, and investment cooperation, including projects in energy, transport, healthcare, tourism, and culture.
“Our companies are interested in developing transport infrastructure and restoring the energy sector,” Novak said, adding that Russian firms plan to use domestic equipment in Syria’s reconstruction.