Turkey and Syria sign phosphate and energy cooperation agreement

Turkey and Syria have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Damascus to expand bilateral cooperation in the energy and mining sectors, specifically focusing on phosphate resources. The agreement was signed between MTA IC, a subsidiary of Turkey’s General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration, and Syria’s Directorate General of Geology and Mineral Resources.

Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar met with Syrian President Ahmed Şara and Energy Minister Muhammed El-Beşir to discuss the partnership. The cooperation aims to include phosphate production, the development of mining sites, the establishment of industrial facilities, and the construction of a railway to transport minerals to a seaport. Future stages may involve the production of phosphoric acid and fertilizers.

Beyond mining, the two nations discussed hydrocarbon exploration, including offshore and onshore drilling for oil and gas. Turkey has also offered technical expertise in geothermal energy. Additionally, Turkey plans to significantly increase electricity exports to Syria via the Birecik-Aleppo line, aiming to reach 800-900 megawatts, which is expected to triple current export levels and improve daily electricity supply in Syria.