A statement that will change the balances: We want to benefit from Turkey's experiences.

The new Minister of Transport of the Syrian government, Behaeddin Sherim, stated that the sanctions imposed on the transport and maritime sectors are being reviewed, saying, "Sanctions are applied to the victims of the ousted regime. We identify these obstacles and report them to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs." Sherim also added that Turkey is experienced in the maritime field and that they want to benefit from these experiences.

"INFRASTRUCTURE HAS BEEN DESTROYED"

Sherim met with ship and maritime company owners in Tartus province to discuss the sanctions imposed in the transportation sector, the challenges between the Ministry and the private sector, and the removal of obstacles. The new Minister of Transport, Sherim, made evaluations here. He pointed out that the infrastructure in the country has been destroyed due to the sanctions imposed during the ousted Bashar al-Assad regime and the nearly 14 years of war, stating, "This meeting is held to identify the existing obstacles and to remove them. We aim to reach the transportation level of developed countries. We will progress gradually."

Sherim noted that any sanctions imposed on ships anchoring in the waters of Latakia would negatively affect the Syrian people and the economy, saying, "Costs will increase with sanctions, the diplomas of those working in the maritime sector will not be valid, and job opportunities will decrease."

Sherim stated, "Currently, sanctions are applied to the victims of the ousted regime. We identify the obstacles in the Ministry and report them to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ousted regime has been at war with the people for 14 years. It has imposed a blockade. It has used chemicals. Sanctions should be lifted so that the Syrian people can lead a better life."

"WE WANT TO BENEFIT FROM TURKEY'S EXPERIENCES"

Abdulcevad Keyyali, the Maritime Management Director and a graduate of the Mechatronics Engineering Department of Karabük University, noted that although there are very successful businesspeople in Syria, the maritime sector was not very developed even before 2011.

Keyyali stated that due to economic pressure and sanctions, businesspeople have been forced to migrate, saying, "Syrian shipowners use the flags of other countries while doing trade. They do not use the Syrian flag and do not enter the waters with this flag. Therefore, the Syrian state and people are harmed."

Keyyali expressed that if the sanctions are lifted, the situation in the sector would improve and job opportunities would increase.

Keyyali mentioned that they will start working on cooperation with Turkey soon, saying, "Turkey has a very large and long-standing experience in the maritime field. We want to benefit from these and deepen our relations with Turkey."

Keyyali stated that there will be efforts to determine maritime jurisdiction areas between Syria, Turkey, and Lebanon, saying, "There will be studies regarding the embargo. The Assad regime is no longer present. The imposed embargoes affect Syrian citizens in Syria and neighboring countries. As long as the embargo continues, economic life will not improve."