In line with UN Security Council resolutions, the agreement is intended to lay the legal grounds for the Russian Federation to offer transit via its territory for aircraft transporting weapons, military equipment and military assets, servicemen and civilian personnel of the Armed Forces of the Kingdom of Spain for the purposes of supporting the international efforts to stabilise and rehabilitate Afghanistan.
The agreement stipulates that Russia is entitled to refuse to grant transit permit in case it is established that cargo and personnel transportation may pose a threat to the security of the Russian Federation.
When Spanish weapons, military equipment and military assets are transported, an interim landing in the Russian Federation is mandatory. Transit of Spanish personnel does not require a mandatory interim landing. In case of transit of auxiliary cargoes, a decision on an interim landing shall be made by relevant Russian authorities based on the specifics and nature of the items in question.
While in transit, military and civilian personnel of the Spanish Armed Forces come under jurisdiction of the Russian Federation save for the cases generally accepted in international law.
Under the terms and conditions of the agreement, Spain undertakes to reimburse any damage caused to third parties by Spanish personnel or assets while in such transit.
The agreement was signed in Madrid on March 3, 2009.