Economic Relations with Syria

Even though they are neighbors, the volume of trade between Turkey and Syria is only $762 million, according to 2002 figures. At the Turkey-Syria sixth Term Mixed Economy Commission (KEK) meeting held at the Foreign Trade Undersecretariat, it was stressed for this number to be pushed up to $1 billion in a short time.

State Minister Kursat Tuzmen highlighted the importance of the agreement for the two countries. "We are aiming to complete the meetings in two months, and to put that into practice." Tuzmen also complained about the fact that even though Turkey doesn’t charge transit fees on Syrian vehicles, Syria collected high tariffs from Turkish vehicles.

Syrian Foreign Trade Minister Hasan el-Rifai, stated that the legal arrangements to settle the transit fees issue would be handled shortly.

Cihan News Agency / Ankara / TURKEY