President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announcing a new OIC-led Support program for Syria's recovery at the 41st COMCEC Ministerial Session in Istanbul. Image credit: Al Arabiya
(The Post News) – President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced on Monday that a special support program for Syria was launched by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation under the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation. It focuses on rebuilding the war-torn nation with the aim of reinforcing its political unity and territorial integrity.
“Through this program, which will strengthen human and institutional capacity, we will provide project support to Syria in areas such as training, expert exchange, needs analysis, and feasibility studies,” Erdoğan said. “Syria’s recovery is our priority; thus, we launch this special program today.”
Erdoğan: ‘The Islamic World Must Stand with Syria’
Erdoğan underlined that the support of the Islamic world is crucial for stability and prosperity in Syria in the long run. He praised the recent developments in the country after the Revolution on December 8, defining those events as the end of Baathist oppression.
“Praise be to Allah, the oppressed Syrians finally achieved victory,” Erdoğan said. “The atrocities that turned Syria into a bloodbath for 14 years have come to an end.”
He recalled the enormous human cost of the conflict, noting that nearly one million Syrians lost their lives and millions more fled their homes. Türkiye, he said, opened its doors to 3.6 million Syrian refugees and continues to support them.
“We hosted Syrian refugees with the spirit of brotherhood, just as the Ansar once hosted those who migrated from Mecca,” Erdoğan said.
The COMCEC-led program will concentrate on the rebuilding of education systems, trade capacity, infrastructure, and governance in Syria. Erdoğan said OIC member countries are expected to contribute actively through partnerships, investments, and technical expertise.
Türkiye, which presides over COMCEC, has been at the forefront of efforts to support the transition in Syria following the fall of the Assad regime last December. Erdoğan also said that with the lifting of Western sanctions, Syria is now attracting investors and expanding regional trade.
“We are encouraging the private sector to invest in Syria,” Erdoğan told ministers and dignitaries from OIC countries. “Syria’s integration into regional economies will benefit both our country and the entire region.”
Syria Returns to COMCEC with New Vision
For the first time in several years, Syria attended the COMCEC meeting. The Syrian delegation, headed by Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry Basel Abdel Hanan, discussed development projects and trade integration with regional counterparts.
Erdoğan hailed the re-admission of Syria to the OIC platform as “a sign of renewal and hope.” The two countries have already started restoring cross-border trade. Full-scale transit transportation between Türkiye and Syria will also begin at the end of this month. The Syrian authorities also intend to introduce an instant visa system for Turkish truck drivers to facilitate trade.
Trade between the two neighbours is already on the rebound: In the last four months, Türkiye has exported $50 million worth of goods to Syria through the Cilvegözü border crossing in Hatay province alone.
Erdoğan concluded by firmly reiterating that economic cooperation is the key to lasting peace and unity in the region. “The support of COMCEC and the Islamic world is indispensable in order to protect the political unity of Syria and ensure lasting prosperity for our Syrian brothers and sisters,” he said. “Syria’s integration into regional economies will bring tangible benefits to both Syria and our region.”
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