The Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdülkadir Uraloğlu, is downplaying his statement about an imminent agreement with Syria to define an EEZ, clarifying that any future agreement will be in accordance with international law.

Earlier, the Turkish media TGRT Haber, citing the Minister of Transport of Turkey, reported that an agreement between Ankara and Damascus to define the EEZ is imminent.

In particular, Uraloglou stated that “we will conclude a maritime jurisdiction agreement with the Syrian administration. We are working on an emergency action plan that includes air, rail, road and communication services in Syria. We will activate the airports.”

The statement provoked an immediate reaction from Athens, with sources from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs commenting that the borders in the region are European, emphasizing that the issue has already been raised in the European Union with the joint statement together with Austria and Cyprus.

They also noted that this is a transitional situation that does not legitimize anyone to make such an agreement, while they emphasized that Athens is monitoring the issue and is in constant communication with Cyprus and all neighboring countries, as well as with the European Union.

Uraloglou, who made this statement to reporters in Ankara, said that “such an agreement will allow the two countries to increase their sphere of influence in energy exploration”, adding however later that “any future agreement will be in line with international law”.

Progress in negotiating a maritime agreement would require a stable political authority in Syria, Uraloglou explained.

A similar maritime agreement signed between Turkey and Libya in 2019 heightened tensions between the government of Ankara and Greece.

Turkish delegation in Syria for energy cooperation

Reuters earlier reported that a delegation from the Turkish Energy Ministry would travel to Syria “soon” to discuss potential energy cooperation, including electricity transmission, to help reduce energy shortages, Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said late Monday. .

Erdogan said last week that Ankara would do whatever it takes to rebuild Syria, including improving energy relations.

The Turkish delegation will also discuss energy cooperation with the new Syrian government and a possible Turkish assistance in this matter, Bayraktar added.

Turkey is currently providing electricity to parts of northern Syria where the Turkish military has invaded four times since 2016.