1. Signing of a Trilateral Memorandum of Understanding in Geology and Mining at Tishreen Palace in Damascus
Under the auspices of the Syrian Ministry of Energy and the Turkish Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, a trilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at Tishreen Palace in Damascus between the Syrian Mining Company, the General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration (MTA), and the International Mining Company in Türkiye, covering cooperation in Earth sciences and mining. The signing was attended by Syrian Minister of Energy Eng. Mohammad Al-Bashir and Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar.
The MoU was signed by Mr. Siraj Al-Hariri on behalf of the Syrian Mining Company; Mr. Vedat Yanik, Director General of MTA; and Dr. Nael Yildirim, CEO of the International Mining Company. The signing was attended by the Ministry of Energy’s Deputy Ministers for Oil, Water and Electricity, and Planning and Institutional Excellence, as well as the CEOs of the Syrian Petroleum Company and the Syrian Electricity Company, in addition to the Turkish Ambassador to Syria, Mr. Nuh Yılmaz.
The signing of the MoU follows a series of meetings between the relevant institutions of the two countries aimed at launching joint programs in geology and mining and strengthening scientific and technical cooperation in the coming period. The MoU is valid for five years.
2. Syrian and Turkish Energy Ministers Discuss Cooperation in Geology and Mining
Syrian Minister of Energy Eng. Mohammad Al-Bashir received Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar at Tishreen Palace in Damascus, in the presence of the Ministry of Energy’s Deputy Ministers and senior officials from the Syrian Petroleum Company and the Syrian Electricity Company.
The Turkish delegation included Mr. Vedat Yanik, Director General of MTA; Dr. Nael Yildirim, CEO of the International Mining Company; and Turkish Ambassador to Damascus Mr. Nuh Yılmaz. The meeting addressed ongoing cooperation between the relevant institutions of the two countries in Earth sciences and mining, as well as technical aspects related to exploration and development projects.
The meeting aimed to strengthen coordination and identify priorities for joint work in the coming period, supporting the implementation of the trilateral MoU and the development of geology and mining.
A broader technical working meeting was also held between the Syrian Mining Company and the high-level Turkish delegation, focusing on moving from memoranda of understanding to practical investment contracts in the mineral resources sector. Discussions focused on phosphate investment projects and downstream industries based on chemical processing and mining, with the aim of generating greater added value from national resources.
The meeting also explored opportunities to invest in iron ore to support local industries and reconstruction efforts, as well as prospects for cooperation in geothermal energy as a promising source of clean and renewable energy. Discussions also covered the development of a joint program to modernize mining laboratories and equip them with the latest technologies.
The two sides further discussed capacity building and scientific research through specialized training programs and opportunities for engineers to pursue postgraduate studies in geology and mining.
The session represents a key step toward translating understandings into field projects and binding investment contracts, supporting the national economy and advancing the mining sector in line with international standards.
3. Syrian Petroleum Company CEO Discusses Oil and Gas Cooperation with Türkiye
Syrian Petroleum Company CEO Eng. Yousef Qablaqawi participated in the meeting between Syrian Minister of Energy Eng. Mohammad Al-Bashir and Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar at Tishreen Palace in Damascus.
The meeting discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in oil, gas, energy, mining, and exploration, as well as the development of joint projects to advance cooperation between the two countries.
Eng. Qablaqawi also met with Turkish Petroleum CEO Cem Erdem to explore opportunities for cooperation between the two companies in onshore and offshore oil and gas projects. The two sides agreed to continue discussions and identify areas of joint work during the coming period.
4. Syrian Electricity Company CEO Eng. Omar Shaqrouq
After years of infrastructure destruction and the displacement suffered by the people of Salma in the Latakia countryside under the former Assad regime, electricity has returned to the town.
The restoration of electricity to Salma marks an important step toward enabling residents to return to their homes and land and gradually restoring normal life to the town.
We know that the road ahead remains long, but we remain committed to rebuilding what was destroyed by the war, one area at a time.
5. Syrian Petroleum Company Begins Rehabilitation of the National Training Center
As part of efforts to strengthen national capacity building, the Syrian Petroleum Company has begun rehabilitating the National Training Center in Homs. The initiative aims to develop specialized training programs and prepare and qualify national cadres and recent graduates in accordance with the latest technical standards, enhancing their readiness to enter the labor market and supporting greater reliance on local expertise in the oil and gas sector.
6. Syrian Petroleum Company Personnel Honored for Efforts to Reinstate Dismissed Employees
The General Federation of Trade Unions organized a workshop entitled “Institutional Solidarity” to honor institutions and personnel who contributed to following up on the cases of dismissed employees and facilitating their return to work.
Syrian Petroleum Company CEO Eng. Yousef Qablaqawi delivered a speech emphasizing that addressing the situation of dismissed employees and restoring their rights is a national and humanitarian responsibility. He noted that the company, in coordination with the Ministry of Energy and relevant authorities, worked to address the issue within the applicable legal and administrative frameworks.
He added that these efforts reflect the company’s commitment to ensuring fairness for employees, restoring their rights, and benefiting from their expertise.
General Federation of Trade Unions President Abdul Alim Al-Bakour also praised the efforts of the Syrian Petroleum Company and the relevant authorities in following up on the cases of dismissed employees, facilitating their return to work, and ensuring justice for them.
The event included the honoring of a number of company personnel in recognition of their efforts in following up on the cases and contributing to completing the procedures for their return to work.
7. Field Visit to the Al-Awaj River and Its Water Sources in Rural Damascus
Director General of the General Water Resources Authority Eng. Ahmad Al-Koun, accompanied by the Director of Water Resources in Damascus and its Countryside Eng. Basel Al-Ghaffari and the Director of Integrated Water Resources Management, conducted a field visit to the Al-Awaj River and its sources in rural Damascus as part of the Authority’s regular monitoring plan for water resources projects and facilities across the governorates.
The visit covered the river channel, Al-Tamasiyat Spring, and Beit Jinn Farm Spring. The delegation assessed water flow conditions and listened to farmers’ needs and observations regarding water distribution.
The Director General directed the completion of cleaning and maintenance works along the Al-Awaj River channel, improving the efficiency of water distribution divisions, and fencing and protecting Beit Jinn Farm Spring from pollution to ensure the sustainability of the water source.
8. Mechanical Works Completed at Al-Tabiyah Gas Plant in Deir ez-Zor
With the efforts of the Syrian Petroleum Company’s personnel, mechanical works at the Al-Tabiyah Gas Plant in Deir ez-Zor (Conoco) have been completed, and operational testing of the gas transmission system has begun following the lighting of the flare and pressurization of the gas system to verify the readiness of the circuits and equipment.
9. Internal Audit Department Conducts Field Visit to Al-Omar Oil Field
Under the supervision of Director of Internal Audit Dr. Eng. Abdul Fattah Al-Ismail, the Internal Audit Department of the Syrian Petroleum Company conducted a field visit to the Al-Omar Oil Field to assess working conditions and support the newly appointed personnel managing the field.
The visit included listening to employees’ observations and complaints, following up on a number of field-related issues, and establishing an internal audit team within the field to strengthen oversight and transparency and promote a more efficient and disciplined working environment.