Turkish Minister of Trade Omar Bilat announced today, Tuesday, that his country will start talks with Syrian officials to reactivate the free trade agreement between the two countries. This came during a speech at the Forum of Turkish and Syrian Businessmen, which is held for one day in the state of Gaziantep in southern Türkiye.
He explained that the meeting aims to discuss the possibilities of rebuilding the industrial and commercial infrastructure of Syria in the new stage, potential challenges, and mutual cooperation.
Bilat emphasized that Türkiye continues talks with the Syrian government, and that the coordinated work between the two sides is continuing at all levels.
He continued, “Our priority, if the circumstances in Syria allow, is to reactivate and discuss the free trade agreement between Turkey and Syria signed in 2007, which was stopped due to the outbreak of the internal war in 2011.”
“Sanjeji with Syrian officials on this matter, with the aim of building a new and free Syria, and achieving strong economic cooperation in accordance with the principle of joint profit,” he added.
He continued, “We want to strengthen the economic partnership with Syria in a way that serves the interests of the two countries, as we gather with borders that extend 910 km, and we have a common history with it.”
“Syria is also the most important gate that binds us to the Middle East and the Gulf, and we hope that the political path that started on December 8 will succeed,” according to the Turkish minister.
Minister Bilat pointed out that efforts related to the return of the Syrians residing in Türkiye to their country continued.
He explained that the requests for permission to cross into Syria will be accelerated after the relevant authorities conducting a security research in the border Turkish states.
“This procedure will accelerate the transit.” Security research, smuggling, organized fraud, genocide and crimes against humanity will be conducted. “
After approval, the passports will be crossed. The first time, the governors will give a transit permission for up to 10 days. .
Facilities between the two countries
Regarding the air transit, Minister Polit explained that a special visa system for Syrian businessmen wishing to come to Türkiye will be applied. He added, Syrian businessmen will have to submit their requests to the Turkish embassy in Damascus or the Consulate General in Aleppo. They will be granted a special visa known as (permission visa), which will enable them to enter Türkiye for a limited period for trade and investment talks.
The Turkish minister pointed out the importance of opening the Turkish embassy in Damascus and the General Consulate in Aleppo and immediately their diplomats are directly. He touched on the customs decisions issued by the Syrian side and stated that the Syrian side reviewed the customs duties after mutual talks, and customs duties were reduced by up to 70% on 269 Turkish goods.
For his part, the President of the Turkish Businessmen and Industrialists Association, Moussad Mahmoud Asmali, stated that the meeting of the forum came in order for the free Syria to be able to get on its feet again, and start its new journey with strong steps, and look at the future with hope.
Asmali indicated that through this summit, Türkiye’s strategies and activities for development will be strengthened in Syria.
We walk side by side for a stronger, more freedom and prosperity future. Today is not the right time to talk about the past. Now is the time to talk about the future.
It is worth noting that the meeting was attended by the governor of Gaziantep Kamal Chuhbir and the mayor of the state, Fatima Shaheen, in addition to about 700 businessmen from Türkiye and about 500 Syrian businessmen.
