Turkish ministers set to visit Syria for energy, defence talks

Five Turkish ministers are slated to visit Syria for discussions with counterparts expected to be appointed soon in Damascus.

The focus of these talks will primarily centre around energy and defence issues, reflecting potential cooperation between the two countries, Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media.

The Turkish officials making the trip include Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu, Environment and Urbanization Minister Murat Kurum, National Defence Minister Yaşar Güler, and Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy. Each minister is expected to visit Syria in a series of short intervals, marking a new chapter in the evolving relationship between Türkiye and Syria.

Notably, following the recent overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria, Türkiye is actively pursuing defence and energy cooperation with the new Syrian administration.

Türkiye is exploring the possibility of establishing a maritime demarcation agreement with Syria. This agreement would delineate boundaries for oil and hydrocarbon exploration, adhering to international law. However, Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu emphasized that this initiative is contingent upon the formation of a stable government in Syria.

Additionally, Türkiye is considering offering military training to Syria's new administration, should they request such assistance. This proposal reflects Türkiye's commitment to supporting Syria's reconstruction and stability.

To address Syria's severe electricity shortages, Türkiye plans to dispatch a delegation to Syria to assess the energy infrastructure and explore solutions for power transmission. Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced that this delegation will conduct examinations and discuss potential energy cooperation with the Syrian government.

By Khagan Isayev