Syria and Saudi Arabia Hold Talks on Expanding Land and Rail Transport Cooperation

Syrian Minister of Transport Yarab Badr held a video conference with his Saudi counterpart Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser to explore avenues for strengthening bilateral cooperation in the transport sector, with particular focus on land and rail transport, regional connectivity projects, and the facilitation of transit and freight movement across shared land corridors.

Minister Badr underscored the importance of developing a multimodal transport system and enhancing rail connectivity across the region. He noted that the railway line linking Damascus to the Jordanian border requires phased rehabilitation in line with modern standards, an undertaking that demands substantial investment and coordinated multilateral engagement. He added that the ministry is developing forward-looking plans to modernize the regional rail network and integrate it with the networks of neighboring countries, while also addressing operational challenges related to truck movements and regulatory procedures at certain border crossings.

Saudi Position and Connectivity Initiatives

Minister Al-Jasser reaffirmed the depth of bilateral relations and Saudi Arabia's commitment to advancing transport cooperation, describing it as a cornerstone for boosting trade exchange and connecting regional markets. He highlighted that the Saudi rail network already extends to the Jordanian border, creating a tangible opportunity to establish an integrated regional rail link running through Jordan and into Syria. He confirmed that joint technical teams continue to study future connectivity projects.

Trilateral Framework and Regional Roadmap

The meeting took place within the framework of a trilateral agreement among Syria, Jordan, and Turkey, aimed at strengthening land and rail transport cooperation, facilitating freight and truck movement through shared corridors, and opening transport routes toward Europe. In this context, Syria's Ministry of Transport announced the launch of a comprehensive technical assessment of the international road stretching from the Nassib border crossing to the Bab al-Hawa crossing, as a precursor to its rehabilitation according to international standards.

Future plans include the preparation of a regional roadmap to interconnect the rail networks of Syria, Turkey, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the Gulf states, a strategic initiative designed to advance regional economic integration, strengthen supply chain efficiency, and serve the collective interests of all parties involved.