High-level Syrian, Turkish delegations discusses bilateral ties
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A Syrian delegation headed by President Ahmad al-Sharaa meets with Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and regional coordination.
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A photo shows a meeting between a high-level Syrian delegation, led by the head of the transitional phase, Ahmad al-Sharaa, and several senior Turkish officials, on Sunday, May 25, 2025 (SANA)
A high-level Syrian delegation, led by the head of the transitional phase, Ahmad al-Sharaa, held talks on Sunday with Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz and several senior Turkish officials to explore prospects for bilateral cooperation in the fields of energy, defense, transportation, economy, and security.
The Syrian delegation also included Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Kasra. On the Turkish side, Yilmaz was joined by Finance and Treasury Minister Mehmet Simsek, Central Bank Governor Fatih Karahan, and President of the Defense Industries Agency Haluk Gorgun.
The two sides discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in the energy sector, including investments and the expansion of supply networks, enhancing defense partnerships and military industries, reconnecting transportation networks between the two countries, boosting trade exchange, addressing border challenges, and advancing security coordination, among other areas.
Erdogan meets with al-Sharaa
On Saturday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a surprise meeting with al-Sharaa, who made an unannounced visit to Istanbul, according to Turkish media reports.
The state-run TRT Haber published images of the meeting, which took place at the historic Dolmabahçe Palace.
Present at the meeting were Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Defense Minister Yasar Guler, and National Intelligence Organization (MIT) chief Ibrahim Kalin. On the Syrian side, interim Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani also took part in the talks, the report noted.
The discussions reportedly covered a range of sensitive topics. These included the lifting of Western-imposed sanctions on Damascus, the ongoing Israeli attacks on Syrian territory, and the security situation involving terrorists detained in Syrian prisons.
The return of Syrian refugees was also a central topic, with both sides exploring options for cooperation on repatriation and reintegration.
Erdogan welcomes sanctions easing, slams Israeli aggression
According to a statement from Erdogan’s office on platform X, the Turkish president welcomed recent decisions by the US and European Union to lift certain sanctions on Syria, describing them as a positive step.
Erdogan also stressed during the talks that “Israel’s occupation and aggression in Syrian territory is unacceptable,” adding that Turkey will continue to oppose it “on every platform.”
US envoy commends Syria's al-Sharaa for 'Israel' ties in Istanbul
Al-Sharaa also met with the US Ambassador to Ankara and US Special Envoy to Syria, Thomas Barrack, in Istanbul.
In a statement issued following the talks, Barrack said he "commended President al-Sharaa for taking meaningful steps regarding the issue of foreign fighters and relations with Israel."
Recent Turkish-Syrian diplomatic engagements
The Istanbul meeting followed a visit earlier in the week by Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin to Damascus, where he held talks with al-Sharaa, al-Shaibani, and Syrian intelligence chief Hussein al-Salama. That meeting served as a precursor to the latest round of high-level dialogue.
Al-Sharaa had also visited Turkey in April to attend the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, signaling a gradual but notable revival of official interaction between Ankara and Damascus.
Damascus, Ankara ink energy deal to supply gas, boost electricity
On Thursday, Syrian Interim Energy Minister Mohammad al-Bashir and Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar signed a wide-ranging energy cooperation agreement, marking a significant development in bilateral economic relations focused on energy infrastructure and supply.
During a joint press conference in Damascus, al-Bashir stated that the agreement includes a protocol and general framework for coordination in various energy sectors, namely oil, natural gas, minerals, and electricity. The deal also covers joint scientific research and the exchange of technical expertise.
One of the key projects highlighted is the completion of a natural gas pipeline connecting Kilis in southern Turkey to Aleppo in northern Syria. The gas flow is scheduled to begin in June 2025, with Turkey set to supply up to 2 billion cubic meters of gas annually, expected to help generate approximately 1,300 megawatts of electricity.
The agreement also includes the finalization of a 400-kilovolt transmission line to link the Turkish and Syrian power grids, which is projected to support the import of up to 500 megawatts of electricity by early next year. A separate power line connecting Reyhanlı to Harem is under construction, with a substation expected to become operational by September.
Read more: Internal debate in US over Trump's sanctions relief vow for Syria: AP
