Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov is set to meet Syria's new rulers this week in Damascus, two Syrian sources said on Tuesday, APA reports citing Reuters.
Bogdanov said Russia hoped to maintain its two bases in Syria - a naval base in Tartous and the Hmeimim base near the port city of Latakia.
But this month, Syria's new administration cancelled a contract with Russian firm STG Stroytransgaz to manage and operate the Tartous port, according to three Syrian businessmen and media reports.
Syria's interim defence minister, Murhaf Abu Qasra, told Reuters in an interview in Damascus this month that negotiations were under way with Russia to determine the nature of the future relationship between the two states.
"We as a state are committed to the agreements that were present in the past but there may be some amendments in the negotiations that would achieve Syria's interests," Abu Qasra said.
