Syria Terminates Tartus Port Agreement with Russia

tartus, syria - Syria ends the 49-year agreement leasing Tartus port to a Russian company, closing Russia's gateway to the Eastern Mediterranean.

Syria Terminates Tartus Port Agreement with Russia

Syria has terminated the 49-year agreement leasing Tartus port to a Russian company, crucial for Russia's naval presence in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The agreement was signed by the ousted leader Assad and has now been canceled by the new Syrian administration.

Tartus port, Russia's only naval base in the Eastern Mediterranean, has been a strategic gateway for Moscow into the Middle East.

Riyad Judi, the Customs Director of Tartus, stated that all revenues from the port will now benefit the Syrian state, as the investment agreement with the Russian company has been revoked.

Despite the agreement, the Russian company did not update the port's mechanisms, leading to the cancellation of the deal.

Efforts are underway to repair the port and reduce customs duties to compete with other ports in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov emphasized that Russia remains engaged in the Middle East and expressed willingness to contribute to the improvement of the situation in Syria.