Turkiye-Azerbaijan Gas Exports to Syria Aid Stability, Erdogan Says

Gas Exports Bolster Syria's Post-Conflict Recovery

Joint supplies of natural gas from Turkiye and Azerbaijan to Syria, initiated last August, are now supporting the restart of power plants and basic energy needs in conflict-affected areas. The initial plan calls for annual deliveries of 1.2 billion cubic meters, transported through Turkish territory from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz field in the Caspian Sea. These flows are described as contributing to Syria's reconstruction efforts following the end of the 13-year civil war.

Erdogan Highlights Strategic Energy Ties

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated in a message to the Baku Energy Week conference that the contributions of these supplies to Syria's development and regional security are indisputable. Delivered by Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, the remarks emphasized how recent regional developments have shown the importance of energy initiatives by Turkiye and Azerbaijan. Turkiye's support for opposition forces during the civil war, which concluded with the ousting of Bashar Assad in December 2024, has positioned it as a key ally to the new Syrian government.

Foundations in Major Infrastructure Projects

Erdogan pointed to a series of energy infrastructure projects once viewed as unattainable, including the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum natural gas pipeline, and the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline. These efforts, carried out successfully with Azerbaijan, now extend to gas flows reaching Syria and demonstrate the deepening cooperation between the two nations through joint participation in fields such as Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli and Shah Deniz, as well as the newer Shafag-Asiman offshore project.

Electricity and Green Energy Expansion

Energy Minister Bayraktar noted that the partnership is moving beyond oil and gas into electricity transmission and green energy corridors. Plans involve Turkiye, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Bulgaria, and southeast European countries to enhance regional connectivity, including what Bayraktar described as the electricity version of TANAP. Turkiye intends a 30 billion dollar upgrade to its electricity transmission and distribution system over the next decade to handle higher renewable and nuclear output, alongside improved connections with Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Bulgaria.

Broader Regional Opportunities and Vision

The Igdir-Nakhchivan natural gas pipeline, which entered service last year, has strengthened energy security for Azerbaijan's exclave, while electricity interconnections between Turkiye and Azerbaijan remain strategically important. Erdogan also highlighted potential for exporting Turkmen gas via Azerbaijan and Turkiye, as well as increased use of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline for Kazakhstan's resources. Turkiye's approach focuses on effectiveness across energy dimensions, including renewables and green energy, with respect for the environment, and it plans to host the COP31 conference in Antalya from November 9 to 20.