Istanbul, Turkey – August 6, 2025 – In a significant move to bolster regional economic cooperation, Turkey and Syria have signed ten Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at deepening their trade and economic relations. The agreements were finalized during a high-level meeting in Istanbul on August 6, 2025, attended by key government officials and business representatives from both nations.
Representing Turkey was Deputy Minister of Trade Volkan Ağar, while Syria was represented by Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade Muhammad Nidal Al-Gharib. The signing ceremony, held at the headquarters of the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK), also included participation from various Chambers of Commerce from both countries, signaling a broad commitment to enhanced economic engagement. These agreements are expected to stimulate increased trade volumes and contribute to the economic development of the region.
A crucial development preceding these MoUs was the signing of a protocol on August 5, 2025, to establish the Turkey-Syria Economic and Trade Joint Committee (ETOK). This committee will serve as a vital institutional framework for managing economic and commercial interactions between the two nations. Bilateral economic relations have seen notable momentum, with trade volume reaching $2.6 billion in 2024 and growing to $1.9 billion in the first seven months of 2025. This upward trend is further supported by the resumption of Turkish Airlines flights to Aleppo on August 1, 2025, after a 13-year hiatus, and Turkey's ongoing supply of natural gas and electricity to Syria, with partners Azerbaijan and Qatar, to improve energy access. The modernization of seven active border crossings is also underway to manage increased trade and passenger flow, reflecting a shared vision for a more integrated and prosperous regional future.