Turkey and Syria to begin free trade agreement talks soon, says trade minister

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Trade Minister of Turkey Omer Bolat announced on Tuesday that Turkish officials will soon begin discussions with Syrian counterparts on reinstating the Turkish-Syrian Free Trade Agreement.

Speaking at the International Business Forum (IBF) event at the Sahinbey Congress and Art Center, Bolat emphasized that talks with the Syrian government are ongoing and that cooperation between the two countries continues.

“Our primary goal is to reimplement the free trade agreement signed in 2007,” Bolat said, adding that the “aim is to establish strong cooperation and synergy in rebuilding, revitalizing, and developing trade and production in a free and new Syria, based on a win-win principle,” the minister said.
Bolat emphasized the importance of Syria for Türkiye, stating, “We share a 910-kilometer (565.4-mile) border with Syria. We want Syria to be a stable neighbor where different ethnic and sectarian communities coexist in unity and solidarity. We have a shared history and many similarities.”

“Syria is the most significant gateway to the Middle East and the Gulf. Our greatest hope is for the success of the revolutionary and flag transition period that began on Dec. 8,” he added.

New border regulations for Syrian travelers

Bolat also stated that efforts are underway to facilitate the return of Syrians currently residing in Türkiye.

Regarding border crossings, he noted that individuals seeking to travel from Türkiye to Syria must first undergo a background check conducted by provincial authorities in border regions.

“Background checks will be conducted for offenses such as terrorism, smuggling, fraud, genocide, and crimes against humanity. Only after these checks will travel requests be approved, and all crossings will be made with passports,” he explained.

For first-time travelers, it was stated that governors might grant permits for up to 10 days. For subsequent trips, individuals would need to present an invitation letter approved by Syria’s chambers of commerce or industry or an official document from an authorized institution.

Bolat also mentioned that these requests would be processed by Turkish provincial authorities without a time limit.

“Additionally, Syrian businesspeople wishing to travel to Türkiye by air will be subject to a special visa procedure. They must apply to the Turkish Embassy in Damascus or the Consulate General in Aleppo for what is known as an ‘istizan’ visa, allowing them to enter Türkiye for a limited period to conduct trade and investment meetings,” the minister added.

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