Turkiye reopens consulate general in Syria's Aleppo after 12 years

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
20 Jan 2025 17:26

Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Burhan Koroglu described the reopening as a source of pride for Turkiye.

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A view of the Turkish Consulate building in Aleppo, Syria, Jan. 20, 2025 (AA)

Turkiye reopened its consulate general in Aleppo on Monday, marking a major step after its operations were suspended in 2012 during the war on Syria, Anadolu Agency reported.

The reopening ceremony was attended by Ambassador Burhan Koroglu, the interim chargé d'affaires of the Turkish Embassy in Damascus, Hakan Cengiz, the consul general in Aleppo, and other officials.

The Turkish flag was raised at the consulate, symbolizing the resumption of operations after 12 years.

🔴 #SONDAKİKA #Halep Başkonsolosluğu'nda Türk bayrağı göndere çekildi!

Suriye'nin ikinci büyük kenti Halep'teki Türkiye Başkonsolosluğu 13 yıl sonra yeniden faaliyete geçiyor.

pic.twitter.com/giVDRMIAKv
— X Basın (@XBasinX) January 20, 2025

Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Koroglu described the reopening as a source of pride for Turkiye, emphasizing that the consulate would serve Syrian nationals and Syrians who have obtained Turkish citizenship.

"This consulate, given Aleppo’s importance, will function like an embassy,” he stated.

Koroglu highlighted Turkiye's commitment to Aleppo's development, focusing on improving essential infrastructure, including electricity, water, schools, and hospitals.

He also emphasized the consulate’s critical role in fostering trade and strengthening bilateral ties, adding that neighboring cities such as Gaziantep and Hatay in southern Turkiye are poised to collaborate with Aleppo.

The Turkish Embassy in Damascus, which had also suspended its activities in 2012, resumed operations on December 14, 2024.

The embassy had continued its functions for some time during the war but ceased daily operations on March 26, 2012. Following this decision, embassy staff and their families returned to Turkiye.