Official announcements from the Turkish or Syrian governments or credible news sources

Turkey to Sign Maritime Deal with Syria, Rebuild Infrastructure Amid Regional Concerns

Dec 24, 2024, 12:29 PM

Turkey's Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, announced plans to sign a maritime delimitation agreement with Syria, aiming to enhance cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean and jointly conduct oil and hydrocarbon exploration. The agreement is expected to strengthen Ankara's position regarding maritime energy activities and could have a regulatory impact in the region. Turkey also intends to implement an urgent action plan to rebuild Syria's infrastructure, including air, rail, road, and communication services. Airports such as Damascus and Aleppo will be reactivated and modernized, addressing current deficiencies like the lack of radar systems, with pilots currently using smartphone applications for navigation. The plans involve repairing railway lines to connect the two countries and reviving parts of the Hejaz railway project. Uraloğlu noted that "Syria needs everything" and pointed out that "Syria’s currency is printed by Russia," indicating a need for improved governance. Greece and Cyprus have expressed concerns over the potential agreement, with Greek diplomatic sources stating that Syria's transitional government does not legitimize such agreements and that borders in the area are European. Cyprus has warned against maritime rights violations and stated it will take all available measures at international and European levels.