Türkiye, Syria open new chapter in mining, energy cooperation

Türkiye and Syria have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to expand cooperation in mining, particularly phosphate resources, as the two countries seek to deepen economic and energy ties and support Syria’s reconstruction.

The MoU was signed in Damascus by MTA IC, an affiliate of Türkiye’s General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration (MTA), and Syria’s General Directorate of Geology and Mineral Resources, Anadolu Agency reports.

Speaking at a joint press conference following the signing, Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said the agreement would broaden bilateral energy and mining cooperation to include phosphate resources.

Bayraktar said the two sides aim to move toward a commercial agreement and develop a project covering phosphate production, development of phosphate fields and construction of a railway connecting the fields to a port.

The agreement is part of a broader effort by Ankara and Damascus to strengthen economic and energy cooperation as Syria works to rebuild its infrastructure. The two countries are also pursuing projects in electricity transmission, oil and natural gas, and renewable energy.

Bayraktar said Turkish companies would continue investing in Syria’s electricity generation and transmission infrastructure to support reconstruction.

The Birecik-Aleppo electricity link, with a capacity of around 500 megawatts, is expected to allow Türkiye to nearly triple electricity exports to Syria to approximately 900 megawatts. Bayraktar said the upgraded line is expected to be commissioned “in the coming weeks.”

The two countries have been physically connected through the Birecik-Aleppo line for years, but its operation has been hindered by differences in power-grid configurations and damage to Syrian infrastructure.

Bayraktar also called for more Turkish companies to participate in Syrian infrastructure projects, citing their expertise in pipelines, electricity transmission lines, storage facilities and tanks.

Turning to oil and natural gas cooperation, he said there was significant potential in Syria’s offshore and onshore fields, including existing producing fields and areas where new discoveries could be made.

“Our companies, particularly TPAO, are ready for this,” Bayraktar said, adding that Türkiye plans to conduct seismic surveys and drilling and develop projects through partnerships with Turkish and international companies.

On geothermal energy, Bayraktar said Türkiye, which has the world’s fourth-largest installed geothermal capacity, was ready to share its expertise with Syria.

“I believe this will make a very important contribution to Syria’s reconstruction and development and to maintaining stability in the region,” he said.

Syrian Energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir said the two countries were seeking to expand cooperation in both the energy and mining sectors.

Al-Bashir said a new transmission line was expected to be commissioned by the end of September, providing around 500 megawatts of additional electricity to Aleppo and surrounding areas. The project, he said, would help stabilize energy supplies and improve public services.

He added that the phosphate MoU would serve as a foundation for broader mining cooperation, including the establishment of sulfuric and phosphoric acid production facilities, rehabilitation of the phosphate transport fleet and phosphate imports.

By Vafa Guliyeva