Minister Al-Bashir elaborated that Syria is on the verge of signing a deal for a 400-kilovolt electricity line extending from Turkey into Syria. "We are also working on a natural gas pipeline between Kilis and Aleppo," he stated, highlighting the potential to supply six million cubic meters of gas daily to Syrian power plants. This initiative is expected to significantly improve the country's energy situation, which has faced severe shortages amid years of conflict.
Emphasizing the strong neighborly ties between Turkey and Syria, Al-Bashir acknowledged Ankara's continuous support for Syrians since the onset of the Syrian revolution. He noted Turkey's substantial assistance, particularly in providing electricity to northern Syria. Additionally, discussions are underway for another energy line connecting Reyhanlı in Turkey's Antakya (Hatay) province to Harim in Idlib's countryside, with preparations already. Once completed, this line could transfer approximately 80 megawatts of electricity to northern Syria through a Turkish conversion center following a tender process.
The minister also touched on broader energy cooperation, revealing plans for a general framework agreement with Turkey covering various energy sectors. He invited Turkish companies to invest in Syria, citing oil and gas exploration, refining, electricity infrastructure rehabilitation, and mining opportunities. Al-Bashir further mentioned potential collaboration in offshore natural gas exploration in Syrian territorial waters, signaling a new chapter in bilateral energy relations.