Discussions between Turkey and Syria on the transportation sector and ways to develop it.

Syrian Minister of Transport, Dr. Yarob Badr, met today, Tuesday, with the Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Oğlu, and his accompanying delegation, to discuss ways of cooperation between the two countries in the land and rail transport sector.

During the meeting, Dr. Badr emphasized the importance of the visit as a confirmation of Turkish support in the field of transport, considering the transport sector as the backbone of the economy and life.

Badr highlighted the importance of taking measures to facilitate the movement of people between the two countries, which would strengthen the bonds of friendship and brotherhood between them. Additionally, he stressed the need to develop advanced internal transport by benefiting from Turkey's expertise.

He pointed out priorities for developing the emergency transport sector, including improving land transport in Syria to enhance transportation services within cities, relying on mass transit modes that positively impact citizens who do not own means of transportation. Furthermore, he emphasized the need to find solutions to enhance services, facilitate technical and administrative procedures that directly affect citizens, such as vehicle registration, technical inspection, market licenses, and organizing cargo transport in a way that achieves social justice and provides job opportunities for many individual truck owners.

Badr praised Turkey's advancements in digital transformation, e-government, and alternative energy in transportation-related issues, expressing hope to benefit from this in Syria, especially in reactivating rail transport between the two countries as soon as possible.

On his part, Oğlu expressed his country's readiness and willingness to compensate for the missed cooperation in land, sea, and air transport with Syria, and to establish a joint action plan or roadmap to achieve desired goals, plan for the future, and implement current agreements. He stated that Turkey's doors are open for cooperation and contribution to developing the transport sector in Syria and keeping pace with global developments.

Oğlu also affirmed his country's readiness to share acquired expertise with the Syrian side, especially in training, exchanging information and experiences, hosting and sending delegations to and from Syria, contributing to enhancing the knowledge and experiences of both sides.

He mentioned that there will be further meetings with the Syrian side to address various transport-related issues, as well as international conferences in Turkey to which Syria will be invited to participate and benefit from transport-related discussions, in addition to utilizing the Turkish experience in establishing advanced vehicle inspection centers in all provinces.

After the meeting, Ministers Badr and Oğlu conducted a field tour at the Hejaz Station in Damascus, belonging to the Public Establishment for the Hejaz Railway, where they were briefed on the station's status, properties, and facilities.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy Foreign Minister Ahmed Dakhan, Transport Minister Mohammad Rahal, the Acting Turkish Ambassador in Damascus Burhan Korkmaz Oğlu, and several directors of public institutions under the Ministry of Transport.