Minister Bolat: 24-hour passage will be free at Turkey-Syria border gates

Trade Minister Ömer Bolat met with Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry, Mohammad Nidal al-Shaar, as part of the "Turkey-Syria Trade Delegation and Bilateral Business Meetings," where he was in Syria to attend the 62nd Damascus International Fair. The meeting, organized to enhance trade volume and economic cooperation between the two countries, was also attended by Turkish Exporters' Assembly (TİM) President Mustafa Gültepe and Turkish and Syrian delegations.

'SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED AT ALL 7 CUSTOMS UNTIL 20:00 EVENING'

Minister Bolat, who began his speech by offering his condolences to the Syrians who lost their lives in the Israeli attack this morning, said, "During our visit to this fair, we had an important and productive official meeting with the Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry and his staff. Before that, we also held official meetings with the Syrian Land, Air, Sea and Ports Customs Director, Dr. Bedevi, and his team. And even in this short period of time, we reached important agreements. We signed a cooperation agreement covering the establishment of a joint customs committee and cooperation and training in customs. Furthermore, during the visit of the Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry to Ankara three weeks ago, we signed the agreement on the establishment of a joint trade and economic committee between the two countries. We also signed an agreement on mutual cooperation and training and institutional capacity building between the ministries. Furthermore, the Transport Ministers of the two countries signed an agreement on June 28 to abolish the loading and unloading practice at the borders and customs and to liberalize transit passage to Turkey, Syria, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. As we agreed today, starting tomorrow, two customs gates will be open to the public, including Türkiye's Cilvegözü." "Transit trade will be free 24/7 at the Bab al-Hawa and Bab al-Salam border crossings in Syria. We have also agreed to provide service until 8:00 PM at the other seven border crossings," he said.

Minister Bolat stated that since December 8, Turkey has accelerated efforts to lift bans on export and import goods, transit trade, and modernize and expand customs. Bolat also emphasized that significant progress has been made in energy cooperation, saying, "The Turkey-Syria Natural Gas Pipeline was put into service on August 1st, with the cooperation of our Ministry of Energy and the Syrian Ministry of Energy. The flow of natural gas to Syria has begun, and electricity supply will be strengthened and increased. Cooperation efforts on the development of industrial zones and investments are ongoing between our Ministry of Industry and the Syrian Ministry of Economy and Industry. The Mersin-Tartus Ferry Line has been opened. We have also agreed that the Mersin-Laskiye Ferry Line will be opened quickly and ferry services will begin if an operating company is found. Our mutual trade has increased by approximately 55 percent in the first seven months of this year, reaching $2 billion in mutual trade. We continue to work in full cooperation in all areas of trade, investment, customs, free zones, industrial zones, transportation, energy, and other sectors for the economic development of Syria. The Syria Reconstruction Fair will be held in Damascus on October 29th, and will remain open for four days until November 1st. We will demonstrate strong participation. Rapid steps have been taken toward normalization regarding humanitarian crossings. Turkish citizens will now be able to easily enter and exit Syria with their passports, without requiring permission. Regarding Syrian citizens, our Immigration Administration and the Ministry of Interior are already continuing their discussions with their Syrian counterparts. We are rapidly progressing toward normalization on these issues as well.

"WE ESTABLISHED A SPECIAL SYRIA TABLE"

TİM President Gültepe emphasized their desire for relations between the two countries to develop as strongly and mutually beneficially as they have in the past, saying, "As exporters and industrialists, we are ready to contribute in every way we can to revitalize trade. We have established a dedicated 'Syria Desk' to closely monitor relations with Syria and ensure our business community takes a more active role in the region. This desk will pave the way for new projects, commercial opportunities, and joint projects based on mutual cooperation."

DHA

Reporter: News Center