With the memorandum signed between MTA IC, a subsidiary of the General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration (MTA), and the Syrian General Directorate of Geology and Mineral Resources in Damascus, the capital of Syria, it is aimed to expand the energy and mining cooperation of the two countries to the field of evaluation of phosphate resources.
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar, at the joint press conference held after the signing ceremony, pointed out that there is a great potential for cooperation between the two countries in many fields, and said that energy and mining are among the most important topics.
Bayraktar pointed out that Syria is in an important development process and continued his words as follows:
"After signing the framework agreement here, we aim to implement a project that includes phosphate production, development of phosphate fields and the construction of the railway to the port, with the work that we will lead to a commercial agreement in the coming days. The signatures signed here are a very good start. Similarly, we will work together to bring the iron mines around Aleppo into the economy."
TURKISH COMPANIES' INVESTMENTS IN SYRIA WILL CONTINUE
Bayraktar stated that Turkish companies continue their investments in Syria and said, "Turkish companies continue their investments here. Our companies continue their work very seriously, especially in infrastructure projects from electricity production to transmission, and these will continue to increase." he said.
Stating that Türkiye is increasing its electricity supply day by day within the scope of its support to the reconstruction process of Syria, Bayraktar said, "Especially with the Birecik-Aleppo line that will come into operation in the coming weeks, we will approximately triple this export and reach 800-900 megawatts." he said.
Bayraktar emphasized that the line in question will make a significant contribution to meeting Syria's electricity needs, and noted that there are only a few days left for the project to be put into operation and that the daily electricity supply time in the country will increase with the line becoming operational.
Bayraktar stated that they will also come together for the mining commercial agreement and said that they will give the good news of this to the Syrian and Turkish people.
Pointing out that they want more Turkish companies to take part in infrastructure projects, Bayraktar said, "We have very important experience in the construction of pipelines, electricity transmission lines, warehouses and tanks. We can implement these quickly. Especially in this global energy crisis that the world is going through, we can say to the whole world that Turkey and Syria offer very important opportunities in these oil and natural gas transit routes. Therefore, we can implement our joint work here again." made his assessment.
Stating that there is a wide potential for cooperation between the two countries in the fields of oil and natural gas, Bayraktar said that Turkish Petroleum is ready to work on offshore fields in Syria and on land where production is currently taking place, production is expected to be increased and new discoveries can be made.
Reminding that they started working abroad in Somalia, especially offshore, after Türkiye's discovery in the Black Sea, Bayraktar continued as follows:
"Now we want to implement this in the Mediterranean, Syria, other countries, Libya, but Syria is one of the countries we attach special importance to and we think it has a significant potential. First of all, we want to work with you to bring these resources of Syria to the economy with different companies through a seismic study, followed by drilling studies and partnerships. Likewise, we will offer you concrete collaborations in the land fields in the coming period. Here, as Turkey, both with our national oil company, Turkish Petroleum, as well as with the international companies we have just mentioned, as in other countries. "We can implement these studies through partnerships."
Drawing particular attention to the geothermal energy potential, Bayraktar said, "It is one of the issues that Mr. President Ahmed Al Shara attaches great importance to. It is an issue we know from many years ago. Therefore, we want to bring Türkiye's experience here, as a country with the fourth largest geothermal installed power in the world. However, I believe that it will make very important contributions to the reconstruction and development of Syria and to maintaining its stability in the region." he said.
NEW AREAS OF COOPERATION IN MINING
Syrian Minister of Energy Mohammed Bashir also stated that they aim to develop comprehensive cooperation with Turkey in the fields of energy and mining, and said that the new transmission line, which will provide approximately 500 megawatts of energy to Aleppo, is planned to be put into service by the end of September.
In his statement regarding the cooperation with Türkiye, Beşir stated that work is continuing on the construction of a new energy transmission line.
Stating that the line in question is aimed to be put into service at the end of September, Beşir stated that approximately 500 megawatts of new energy will be transferred to Aleppo and its surroundings through the line.
The Syrian Minister noted that the commissioning of the line will contribute to the stability of energy supply and the improvement of public services, especially electricity.
Stating that they signed a memorandum of understanding with Turkey today, which will form the basis of cooperation in the field of mining, Beşir stated that studies will be carried out on issues such as the establishment of sulfuric acid and phosphoric acid production facilities, rehabilitation of the phosphate transportation fleet and phosphate imports.
