Strategic Partnership with Ukraine on Food and Energy, Outlines Rebuilding Projects with Turkey

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa has outlined the contours of a strategic partnership between Syria and Ukraine, identifying food security and energy as the primary axes of cooperation. Speaking to Anadolu Agency on the sidelines of the fifth Antalya Diplomacy Forum, al-Sharaa noted that Ukraine possesses extensive expertise in agricultural production and agro-pharmaceutical manufacturing, areas of direct relevance to Syria's rebuilding priorities.

Al-Sharaa described Syria as an inherently agricultural country in need of substantial skills transfer and sectoral development. A central element of the proposed partnership involves establishing a logistics hub on Syrian soil to facilitate the re-export of essential food commodities through Syrian ports, positioning the country as a regional node in global supply chains.

On the Turkish front, the president pointed to a broad range of economic integration opportunities, foremost among them the creation of a Syrian-Turkish free trade zone in Idlib, designed to foster joint industrial development and support production and export corridors. Additional projects under consideration include airport expansions, port connectivity upgrades, and the engagement of Turkish firms in rebuilding Syria's infrastructure.

Al-Sharaa framed stable relations with Turkey, Jordan, and the Gulf states as a foundational pillar for navigating regional tensions and maintaining Syrian neutrality amid surrounding conflicts. He stressed that the post-war phase demands a stable environment conducive to development and national rebuilding.

The remarks were delivered during Syria's participation in the fifth edition of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, held in Antalya, Turkey from April 17 to 19, 2026, under the theme "Mapping Tomorrow, Managing Uncertainties." The forum, organized annually by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, brought together approximately 5,000 guests from more than 150 countries, including over 20 heads of state and government.