FILE IMAGE: TARTUS
Earlier on the same day, Russian President Vladimir Putin submitted to the State Duma (lower house of parliament) an agreement with Syria on expanding the naval base in Tartus.
“The duration of the agreement is 49 years, it can be automatically prolonged for a period of 25 years in case none of the parties send a written notification to the other at least one year before a period expires concerning its intention to terminate the agreement,” the document reads, according to the Russian state-run news agency TASS.
According to the document, Russia will use joint facilities free of charge. The document addeds that the naval base has full immunity from the Syrian civil and administrative jurisdiction and its property is immune from search, seizure and other proceedings.
