In a move described as a long -awaited regional economic breakthrough, Syria and Turkey signed two weeks ago a memorandum of understanding to reactivate land transport (transit) and trade exchange between the two countries, after more than 15 years of interruption.
It is expected that this step will contribute to opening wide economic horizons for traders and transport companies, especially since the land road between Syria and Turkey has long been considered a vital artery of the merchandise movement between the Gulf and Europe.
This memorandum came as a culmination of negotiations that lasted for several months, in light of regional transformations that led to the adoption of economic cooperation as an entrance to alleviate political tensions and to re -communicate the neighboring relations.
The past days have witnessed facilities from the Turkish government, which included crossing specific segments of travelers, especially the Turkish nationality and students, which is an indication of a gradual shift in bilateral relations, and a trend towards a phased openness between the two sides, according to observers.
This agreement constitutes a glimmer of hope that is not limited to the commercial and logistical sectors, but its effects extend to the border societies that were damaged during the years of interruption, amid aspirations that this memorandum will be translated into practical steps that return Syria to the regional transit map, and reduce the high costs imposed by indirect alternatives in recent years, according to observers.
Refreshing land transport and joint committee
In this context, Mazen Alloush, Director of Relations at the General Authority for Land and Maritime Ports in Syria, told Al -Jazeera Net, that the authority signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure in the Turkish Republic, to reactivate bilateral cooperation in the field of international land transport for travelers and goods, and to facilitate the crossing of trucks and transit movement between the two countries and through their lands.
Alloush explained that the memo included reactivating land transport operations according to the international road transport agreement signed between the two sides in 2004, in addition to mutual allowing use Ro-RO facilities (Ships designed to transport wheel goods like cars), And the agreement on the mechanism of mutual and reasonable transit visas, with the possibility of developing this mechanism in the future to keep pace with the needs of commercial movement.
He added that the two parties affirmed the importance of facilitating the procedures for granting visas to professional drivers, enhancing cooperation in the areas of regulating land transport, updating legislation and technical standards, and engaging in relevant international agreements, including the implementation of joint training programs for workers in this sector.
It was also agreed to reactivate the Joint Road Transport Committee, which will follow up on the implementation of the memo and address any administrative or logistical obstacles that may hinder the movement of goods and passengers.
Regarding the rumors that were recently circulated about imposing fines on the Syrians who have Turkish citizenship and residents inside Syria, Alloush denied these allegations categorically, confirming that there is no automatic fine for everyone who holds Turkish citizenship and resides in Syria, explaining that Turkish instructions stipulate the imposition of a financial violation only on those who exceeded 180 days continuously outside Turkish territory.
Alloush reassured the citizens that those who did not exceed this period can return without problems or fines, calling for not being drawn from the rumors spread on social media, and instead relying on official sources or communicating with the points of inquiry in the border outlets.
A new organization to cross individuals and temporary residence file
In the organizational context linked to the transit of individuals, Mohamed Akkam, the general manager of the platform of civil society organizations, announced the start of the implementation of new organizational mechanisms to cross the land borders between Turkey and Syria, starting on July 1.
According to what was published on the official page of Al -Munabir via “Facebook”, the new procedures include two Syrian categories, dual nationals, and married to Turkish citizens without obtaining Turkish citizenship.
He added that the Syrians who later obtained Turkish citizenship will be able to cross the wild crossings using their Turkish passports only, without the need for additional documents.
For his part, Dr. Qutaiba Al -Farhat, a professor at Carton University and the researcher on Turkish affairs, believes that the geographical location linking Syria to Turkey gives the two countries a clear economic advantage, as this proximity contributes to facilitating trade exchange, implementing agreements and developing supply chains.
Al -Farhat considered that the strength of economic relations between countries is directly related to the durability of political relations between them, noting that the recent moves between the two sides fall within the efforts to restore the bilateral relationship through clear and direct economic channels.
On the expected challenges to implement the agreement, Al -Farhat points out that the infrastructure inside Syria is one of the most prominent obstacles, as many vital methods have been completely or partially damaged, which requires great efforts to rehabilitate and secure transport lines from border points to the crossings with Jordan, to ensure the smoothness and safety of the shipping movement.
He also pointed out that the Turkish side shows the keenness to build balanced economic relations based on mutual benefit, which explains the facilitation of procedures for Syrian drivers.
He expected the next stage to witness more facilities, especially with regard to merchants and the transportation of goods.
Al -Farhat pointed out that the file of the Syrian refugees, which was the subject of internal dispute in Türkiye, has witnessed a remarkable decline in the severity of political employment, which allows a quieter climate to provide practical economic policies towards the Syrians.
He added that the statements of the Turkish Minister of the Interior not to cancel temporary residency may pave the way to provide more facilities, including organizing the labor market, simplifying the procedures of work permits, and integrating the Syrians into social protection systems.
Aspirations for reconstruction
Syrian economist Abdel Azim Al -Maghrib believes that the agreement represents a decisive turning point in the structure of regional trade, as he will transfer the movement of freight and goods from its conventional, exhausting state to a more efficient and effective model.
Al -Maghrib explained, in his interview with Al -Jazeera Net, that the previous situation was forcing truck drivers to replace vehicles at the crossings, as in the case of the Bab Al -Hawa crossing, given the security restrictions and complex procedures, which led to a noticeable increase in costs and annoying time delays.
After activating the agreement, Al -Maghrib sees that the Turkish trucks will be able to enter the Syrian lands directly, which would reduce the cost of transportation and rush from the time of crossing goods across the border.
He adds that this development is not limited to the logistical side, but rather is reinforced from the strategic location of Syria as a wild and commercial corridor that connects Asia to Europe, especially with plans to rehabilitate vital roads such as the M4 and M5, and link it to the seaports, led by the port of Lattakia, by establishing dry ports in cooperation with international logistical companies such as “CGM” and “CMA”, It opens new horizons for integrating maritime and land transport and developing customs clearance and logistical classification.
The Maghreb links this agreement to the all ongoing transformations in bilateral relations, considering that the agreement reflects an economic transformation that may pave the way for more gradual political rapprochement between Damascus and Ankara.
Mughil concludes his speech by emphasizing that Syria, in light of these accelerating developments, appears today in a location closer to restoring its geo-economic role as a strategic gate linking Asia to Europe, which enhances bilateral cooperation opportunities and pushes more stability and integration in the region.