STG Engineering, the Russian operator of Tartous port in Syria, has denied reports of losing its management contract. CEO Dmitry Trifonov asserted that the company is still operating normally, and any contract termination would require a lengthy legal process. Reports mischaracterizing the operator prompted clarifications, distinguishing STG Engineering from Stroytransgaz. Russia seeks to maintain its naval base in Tartous, emphasizing the facility’s importance to its military operations.
STG Engineering, the Russian operator of Syria’s Tartous port, has refuted claims that it has lost its contract, confirming that operations continue as normal. Reports had circulated that Syria’s new ruling administration cancelled the agreement originally signed under former President Bashar al-Assad, following his evacuation to Moscow in December after a swift rebel attack.
Media outlets, including Syrian businessman sources, had claimed that the Tartous port investment contract was nullified due to STG Engineering’s failure to meet terms set in the 2019 deal, particularly concerning infrastructure investment. However, Dmitry Trifonov, CEO of STG Engineering, informed Reuters that the company remains in management of the port, emphasizing that no formal termination of the contract has occurred and that such actions would require extensive bureaucratic procedures.
Trifonov stated, “It is impossible to terminate the agreement unilaterally, because it has been ratified by both the president and the parliament, and no one has notified us.” He stressed the necessity of following legal protocols for contract termination, dismissing reports about the contract’s cancellation as lacking legitimacy.
Additionally, the media had incorrectly referred to the port operator as STG Stroytransgaz. In a response to inquiries, Stroytransgaz clarified that it is a construction holding entity and has no legal association with STG Engineering, which holds the Tartous port management contract.
Meanwhile, Russia is engaged in discussions with Syria’s new authorities regarding the retention of its naval base in Tartous. This facility is critical for Moscow as it serves as a Mediterranean repair and replenishment hub, and it plays a strategic role in Russian military logistics to Africa.
In summary, STG Engineering has firmly rejected allegations regarding the termination of its contract for Syria’s Tartous port. CEO Dmitry Trifonov emphasized the legal requirements for contract annulment, while the company continues to operate without interruption. Furthermore, the clarification from Stroytransgaz highlights the distinct separation between the two entities. Russia’s military interests in Syria underscore the significance of the Tartous facility as a strategic hub.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
