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Turkey will supply Syria with 2 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said on Thursday.
During a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart in Damascus, Bayraktar noted that gas exports from Turkey to Syria would contribute to the additional production of 1,300 megawatts of electricity in the country.
Ankara, which has supported rebel forces throughout Syria’s 13-year civil conflict, is seeking to play a key role in Syria’s reconstruction after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad this month.
Turkey will also provide Syria with an additional 1,000 megawatts of electricity to meet short-term needs, Bayraktar added.
Syrian Energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir said that the parties had agreed to activate the gas pipeline connecting Syria with Turkey. Gas supplies are expected to start in June.
“This will significantly increase electricity production, which will have a positive impact on meeting the electricity needs of the Syrian people,” said al-Bashir.
The ministers also discussed the completion of the 400-kilovolt power line connecting the two countries. This line will allow for the import of approximately 500 megawatts of electricity to Syria and will be ready by the end of the year or shortly thereafter.
The cooperation also involves Turkish companies investing in mining and phosphate production, as well as in electricity generation and distribution in Syria.
“Intensive work is underway to find new natural resources, whether gas or oil, on land or in the sea,” Bayraktar said.
Source: Reuters
