28.08.2025 02:08
The Minister of Trade, Ömer Bolat, announced a new agreement signed between Turkey and Syria regarding trade. Bolat stated, "Starting from tomorrow, transit trade will be freely allowed for 24 hours at two customs gates: Turkey's Cilvegözü and Öncüpınar; and Syria's Bab al-Hawa and Bab al-Salam Customs Gates. We have also agreed with Syria to provide services until 8:00 PM at the other 7 customs gates."
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Trade Minister Ömer Bolat stated, "Starting from tomorrow, transit trade will be free for 24 hours at two border gates, Turkey's Cilvegözü and Öncüpınar; and Syria's Bab al-Hawa and Bab al-Salam Customs Gates. We have also agreed with Syria to provide services until 20:00 at the other 7 customs."
TRADE MINISTER BOLAT IN SYRIA
Trade Minister Ömer Bolat, who is in Syria to attend the 62nd Damascus International Fair, met with Syria's Minister of Economy and Trade, Muhammad Nidal al-Shaar, within the framework of the 'Turkey-Syria Trade Delegation and Bilateral Business Meetings'. The meeting, organized to enhance the trade volume and economic cooperation between the two countries, was also attended by the President of the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) Mustafa Gültepe and Turkish and Syrian delegations.
'SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED UNTIL 20:00 AT 7 CUSTOMS'
Beginning his remarks by expressing condolences to the Syrians who lost their lives in the attack carried out by Israel this morning, Minister Bolat said: "During our visit on the occasion of this fair participation, we held an important and productive official meeting with the Syrian Minister of Economy and Trade and his team. Prior to that, we also held official talks with Dr. Bedevi, the Head of the Syrian Land-Air-Sea Ports Customs, and his team. Even in this short time, we reached significant agreements. We signed a cooperation agreement covering the establishment of a joint customs committee and cooperation and training in customs. Additionally, we had signed an agreement for the establishment of a joint trade and economy committee between the two countries during the visit of the Syrian Minister of Economy and Trade to Ankara three weeks ago, and we had signed an agreement for mutual cooperation and institutional capacity development between the ministries.
Moreover, the two countries' Ministers of Transport had signed an agreement on June 28 regarding the removal of the fill-empty application at borders and customs, and the liberalization of transit passage extending to Turkey, Syria, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. As we have agreed today, starting from tomorrow, transit trade will be free for 24 hours at two customs gates, Turkey's Cilvegözü and Öncüpınar; and Syria's Bab al-Hawa and Bab al-Salam Customs Gates. We have also agreed to provide services until 20:00 at the other 7 customs."
"TURKISH CITIZENS WILL BE ABLE TO ENTER AND EXIT SYRIA WITH THEIR PASSPORTS WITHOUT PERMISSION"
Minister Bolat noted that since December 8, the lifting of bans on export and import products, and transit trade from Turkey has accelerated, along with the modernization and expansion of customs. Bolat also mentioned that significant progress has been made in energy cooperation, stating: "The Turkey-Syria Natural Gas Pipeline was put into service on August 1, in cooperation with our Ministry of Energy and the Syrian Ministry of Energy. The flow of natural gas to Syria has started, and electricity supply will be strengthened and increased.
Cooperation efforts regarding the development of industrial zones and investments between our Ministry of Industry and the Syrian Ministry of Economy and Trade are ongoing. The Mersin-Tartus Ferry Line has been opened. We have also agreed that the Mersin-Latakia Ferry Line will be opened quickly if an operating company is found, and ferry services will commence. In our mutual trade, there has been an increase of about 55% in the first 7 months of this year, reaching 2 billion dollars in mutual trade.
Our efforts continue in full cooperation in all areas such as trade, investment, customs, free zones, industrial zones, transportation, energy, and the economic development of Syria. On October 29, the Syria Reconstruction Fair will be held in Damascus, open for 4 days until November 1. We will show strong participation in that as well. Rapid steps have been taken towards normalization regarding humanitarian passages. Now, Turkish citizens will be able to enter and exit Syria easily with their passports, without needing permission. Regarding Syrian citizens, our Migration Administration and Ministry of Interior are already continuing their discussions with their Syrian counterparts. We are rapidly progressing towards normalization in these matters.
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