New agreement reopens Turkey–Syria land trade route

Turkey and Syria have signed a new memorandum of understanding on international road transport, marking a significant step toward the resumption of direct land transportation between the two countries.

Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced the agreement during the Global Transport Connectivity Forum held in Istanbul. The memorandum revives a previous bilateral agreement from 2004, aimed at facilitating the movement of goods by road.

Under the new arrangement, trucks will be allowed to cross the border directly without the need to transfer cargo to another vehicle. This move is expected to make trade between the two nations faster, more efficient, and less costly.

“Cargo transfer at border crossings will end,” Uraloğlu said. “Goods will now be transported directly between Turkey and Syria without the need for transshipment.”

The agreement is seen as a boost for regional trade and logistics and comes as part of broader efforts to normalize ties and improve infrastructure cooperation in the region.