Moscow has not address to Damascus on naval base issue – diplomat

04.04.2011 Russia and Syria have not discuss establishment of full-fledged naval base in Tartus, said temporary charge d'affaires of Syrian Arab Republic in Russia Suleiman Abudiab.

"When I used to work in Ukraine, there were talks that Ukraine wanted Russia's Black Sea Fleet to leave Sevastopol. Ukrainian journalists said Russia would expand its naval base in Tartus. However, I have never heard about it neither in Russia nor in Syria. If Russia is about to raise this issue, our governments can easily discussed it and arrive at understanding", he said at Friday's press conference in RIA Novosti.

Russian Navy's maintenance center in Tartus is the only Russia's foreign naval base. In 1971 the USSR and Syria tied an agreement allowing to station Soviet Navy's assets. Tartus naval base was established to support actions of Black Sea Fleet in the Mediterranean; primarily, for repair and supply of 5th Operational (Mediterranean) Squadron.

In 1991 the squadron was liquidated; since that time Russian Navy carries out non-regular cruises to the Mediterranean Sea.

Now Russian Navy's maintenance center in Syria consists of two mooring floats, floating workshop (shifts every half-year), storages, barracks, and other logistic objects.

The diplomat pointed out that relations between Russia and Syria have always been friendly.

"We have always been friends. Old friends are better than new ones, and we will keep such warm relations with Russia", added Abudiab.