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Conflict in Syria

Federation Council to discuss ratification of agreement on Russian air base in Syria

According to First Deputy Chairman of the Defense Committee, Franz Klintsevich, "the agreement is most favorable to Russia and its military contingent without infringing upon Syria’s interests

MOSCOW, October 12. /TASS/. Russia’s Federation Council (upper house of parliament) will consider on Wednesday the ratification of an agreement with Syria on creating a Russian air base, will hear reports of the head of the Federal Tax Service Mikhkail Mishustin and Presidential Envoy for Cultural Cooperation Mikhail Shvydkoi. A total of 12 issues have been submitted to the upper house’s 398th meeting.

CONFLICT IN SYRIA

The senators will consider a law "On ratifying an Agreement between the Russian Federation and the Syrian Arab Republic on deploying an air group of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation to the Syrian Arab Republic," which envisages the establishment of a Russian air base at Hmeymim airfield in Syria’s Latakia province on a non-repayable and permanent basis. The document was earlier recommended for approval by all members of the Defense and Security Committee and supported unanimously by the Foreign Affairs Committee.

According to First Deputy Chairman of the Defense Committee, Franz Klintsevich, "the agreement is most favorable to Russia and its military contingent without infringing upon Syria’s interests." He also voiced confidence that "the deployment of Russian military aircraft to the Hmeymim airbase for an indefinite period of time is the first but far from the last step" towards consolidating Russia’s positions "not only in Syria and in the Middle East, but also in the whole world."

As part of the "Government Hour," senators will hear a report of the Federal Tax Service head Mikhail Mishustin on steps taken by the Russian Cabinet to establish a uniform system of tax administration, customs duties and insurance payments. Russian Presidential Envoy for Cultural Cooperation Mikhail Shvydkoi will brief members of the upper house on the challenges and opportunities in shaping Russia’s image in the world.

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