As previously reported, a ceremonial event was held in the Turkish city of Kilis to mark the launch of Azerbaijani natural gas exports to Syria via Turkish territory. This development represents a major milestone in Azerbaijan’s energy diplomacy and opens a new chapter in regional economic cooperation in the Middle East.
At the first stage of the project, Azerbaijan plans to export 1.2 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually to Syria. The gas will be delivered through a border checkpoint in Kilis and transported to power plants in Aleppo and Homs, where it will be used for electricity generation. Deliveries are carried out by the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) under a direct intergovernmental agreement.
Azerbaijani Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov stated that the project was made possible thanks to the political will of the leadership of Azerbaijan, Turkey, Qatar, and Syria. He emphasized that demand for Azerbaijani gas in the region remains strong, and that SOCAR sees the Middle East as a promising direction for further expansion.
“Deliveries to Syria are carried out directly by SOCAR — this is not gas belonging to international consortia. We are confident that the successful launch of this project confirms the competitiveness and reliability of Azerbaijani gas in eastern markets,” Jabbarov said.
Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar described the new pipeline as a symbol of energy partnership and friendship among the countries of the region. According to him, up to 6 million cubic meters of gas will be delivered daily to Syria via the Yavuzlu Olçme station. He also noted that as a result of the project, electricity production in Syria is expected to increase by 25%, and later more than double through the addition of new transmission lines.
“Turkey continues to serve as an energy hub between East and West. Logistical and energy flows from Central Asia and the South Caucasus will be routed through Azerbaijan and Turkey into Europe,” Bayraktar said, highlighting key cooperation projects such as the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan oil pipeline and the Baku–Tbilisi–Erzurum gas pipeline.
Syrian Minister of Energy Mohammed al-Bashir thanked Azerbaijan and Turkey for supporting Syria’s recovery after years of conflict. He called the project a strategic contribution to improving the country’s economic and social conditions.
“Gas exports from Azerbaijan via Turkey became possible due to the coordinated efforts of our nations. This project is not only about energy — it is a step toward stability and prosperity,” al-Bashir stated.
The event was also attended by Fahad Hamad Hassan Al-Sulaiti, head of the Qatar Fund for Development, and other dignitaries. A symbolic moment during the ceremony was the turning of a pipeline valve installed on stage, officially marking the start of Azerbaijani gas exports to Syria.
A memorandum of understanding between SOCAR and the Syrian government, signed earlier in Baku, laid the groundwork for this new phase of energy cooperation in the region. With this step, Azerbaijan not only strengthens its position as a strategic energy supplier but also contributes to the recovery and development of countries in the Middle East.
