Agreement for deployment of Russian air group in Syria has no validity period

An agreement for deployment of a Russian air group in Syria has no validity period and can be terminated by any of the signatories on written notification. In this case, the agreement loses validity a year after the notification has been received by the other side. 


The agreement, which the Russian and Syrian Defense Ministries signed on August 26, 2015, was published on Thursday. The document’s preamble said the agreement reflected reciprocal desire (of Russia and Syria) to defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of Russia and Syria. 

"The presence of the Russian air group in the Syrian territory is designed to maintain peace and stability in the region. Its purpose is purely defensive is defensive and is not directed against any other state," the treaty’s preamble said. Under the agreement, the Russian air group and its infrastructure will be deployed at Hmeymim air base in Syria free of charge. 

The air group flies on combat missions on order from its commander according to the flight schedule agreed with Syria. Russia and Syria also agree on the Russian air group’s structure. 

The agreement said that Russia could bring any weapons, ammunitions and other materials necessary for the air group into Syria free of fees or duties. All the property installed at the airfield and temporary deployed infrastructure facilities are considered to be the property of Russia. 

The personnel can cross the border on papers that are valid for exit from Russia and are not subject to inspection in Syria. Part of the document is devoted to the immunity of Russian servicemen in Syria. 

The Russian servicemen will respect the laws, customs and traditions of the country of sojourn of which they will be informed upon their arrival in Syria. 

The Russian military contingent is immune from Syria’s civilian and administrative jurisdiction. The servicemen and their families enjoy all the privileges under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Any property belonging to the Russian air group has been declared immune and inviolable. Syria has also pledged to exempt the Russian air group from any direct and indirect taxes. 

The sides are obliged to settle all the disputes linked to the agreement’s application or interpretation through consultations. The agreement was signed in Damascus on August 26, 2015.
More: http://tass.ru/en/world/849758
14/1/16
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