Türkiye and Syria have signed a MoU on phosphate development, covering mining, transport and related industrial projects. The agreement is part of broader cooperation in energy, infrastructure and reconstruction as Syria seeks to strengthen its economy.
Türkiye and Syria have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on phosphate cooperation, which paves the way for cooperation in the mining and transportation sector as the two countries strengthen their economic and energy partnership. MTA IC, affiliated with the General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration in Türkiye and the General Directorate of Geology and Mineral Resources in Syria signed the agreement in Damascus.
The deal is part of a larger push to boost bilateral cooperation in the reconstruction of Syria's infrastructure and economy. The two countries are also talking about electrical transmission, oil, natural gas, renewable energy and mining, giving chances to Turkish companies to be involved in reconstruction projects.
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The phosphate agreement may result in a commercial agreement for phosphate production, development of phosphate fields, and building a railway line from the mining areas to a port, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said. The development of such infrastructure would enhance mineral transportation and contribute to the development of the mining industry in Syria.
A partnership could also be formed for downstream phosphate processing. Cooperation may involve setting up equipment for sulfuric and phosphoric acid manufacturing, reviving the phosphate transport fleet and importing phosphate, said Syrian energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir. These activities might contribute to developing a broader industrial ecosystem of mineral resources in Syria.
Another key sector of bilateral cooperation is the energy sector. Turkish businesses are anticipated to play a continued role in the power generation and transmission initiatives in Syria. The Birecik-Aleppo electricity line, planned to be commissioned around 500 MW, is expected to contribute to the electricity exports from Türkiye to Syria to reach around 900 MW when it is operational.
Oil and natural gas cooperation is also a topic of discussion between the two countries. Türkiye has shown interest in supporting exploration and development activities, both onshore and offshore, within Syria, including areas with existing production as well as areas where there is potential for new production.
The Turkish state oil company TPAO is ready to conduct seismic surveys, drilling and development activities, in cooperation with both Turkish and international companies. Ankara has also pledged to offer experience in geothermal energy, on which Türkiye has built up significant installed capacity.
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Syria can look forward to investment, technical expertise and infrastructure capabilities in its reconstruction process through greater cooperation with Türkiye. The growing tie-up may open up opportunities for Turkish enterprises in mining, energy, transport, and construction and industrial infrastructure.
The phosphate deal is thus part of a larger move towards real economic cooperation between Türkiye and Syria. In the future, the cooperation in the spheres of minerals, electricity, hydrocarbons and infrastructure may play an even greater role in the development of bilateral economic relations as reconstruction proceeds.