Damascus: Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani announced that his discussions with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan centered on revitalizing the joint high-level committee between Syria and Turkey, with a strong emphasis on enhancing trade relations. According to National Iraqi News Agency, al-Shaibani expressed Syria’s goal to increase trade from approximately $4 billion to $10 billion during a joint press conference at Tishreen Palace in Damascus. This event was part of Fidan’s two-day official visit to Syria.
Al-Shaibani elaborated that the committee will oversee comprehensive cooperation in political, diplomatic, economic, and security areas, in addition to focusing on energy, refugee return, education, and culture. The committee will operate under a joint chairmanship, conduct regular meetings, and maintain a permanent secretariat to ensure decisions are implemented, supported by specialized sectoral committees.
In terms of trade, al-Shaibani mentioned aspirations to significantly boost trade volume through partnerships in production, local content, Syrian employment, and the creation of joint border industrial zones. He also highlighted the progress towards a strategic document in the energy sector, integrating aspects like gas, electricity, and grid interconnection.
Al-Shaibani announced that Damascus is close to reopening its embassy in Ankara, marking a significant diplomatic achievement, although no specific date was provided. He reviewed the history of bilateral relations, noting 40 agreements and memoranda of understanding and an institutional network linking 28 Syrian ministries with their Turkish counterparts. He also highlighted the reconnection of the Turkish electricity grid to northern Syria.
Further developments include the reactivation of road transport and transit through key border crossings, the opening of a free zone and dry port in Idlib, and the signing of a trilateral reconstruction memorandum with the presence of the Syrian president.
Al-Shaibani shared figures indicating that over 700,000 Syrians have returned from Turkey since the previous regime’s fall, out of about 1.6 million returning from abroad. He emphasized the commitment to building a unified national army and reintegrating the northeast through a Syrian-led process.
On international issues, al-Shaibani condemned Israeli actions in southern Syria and stressed the need for Israel’s withdrawal to past lines, adhering to the 1974 Disengagement Agreement. He emphasized the importance of diplomatic solutions to prevent conflicts and praised Turkey’s support for Syria’s sovereignty.
Regarding sanctions, al-Shaibani noted the lifting of the Caesar Act and the removal of Syria from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, reflecting significant diplomatic progress. The United States had repealed the Caesar Act in December 2015 and removed Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism in August 2016.