After a twelve-year break in diplomatic relations, Azerbaijan and Syria have taken a significant step toward restoring their ties. One of the first actions in this direction was the delivery of humanitarian aid comprising 200 tons of food and essential supplies, which reached Syria on January 5. Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev expressed his readiness to continue supporting the Syrian people in addressing humanitarian challenges. Azerbaijan is also working closely with Turkey to implement specific measures in this regard.
A pivotal moment in rebuilding relations between Azerbaijan and Syria was a meeting between Azerbaijan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafiyev and Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad during the D-8 Summit in Cairo. During the talks, an agreement was reached to reopen the Azerbaijani embassy in Damascus. Azerbaijan has consistently upheld the principles of Syria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, a position emphasized by Azerbaijan’s Prime Minister Ali Asadov during their meeting. Official Baku maintains that political issues should be resolved through dialogue reflecting the will of the Syrian people.
It is worth recalling that the deterioration in relations between the two countries was largely due to Syria’s close cooperation with Armenia under Bashar al-Assad’s regime, which posed additional geopolitical challenges and concerns for Baku. However, it appears a new era in Azerbaijani-Syrian relations is now beginning.
The Turkic Context
This shift began with consultations between Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. Both countries confirmed their willingness to coordinate efforts to stabilize the situation in Syria and provide humanitarian aid. Azerbaijan expressed its intent to participate actively in international initiatives aimed at Syria’s recovery, collaborating not only with Turkey but also with other nations committed to supporting this process.
Furthermore, the possibility of forming a Syria-Turkey-Azerbaijan alliance within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) is a noteworthy avenue for Syria’s recovery. Such an alliance could serve as an effective platform for implementing large-scale trade and economic projects, including rebuilding infrastructure, developing transport corridors, and integrating Syria into global markets.
This collaboration format could contribute to normalizing Syria’s social environment by creating jobs, improving living conditions, and fostering stability in regions affected by conflict. Moreover, the involvement of OTS countries offers Damascus an opportunity to expand economic and political ties with a broad range of international partners, thereby enhancing its prospects.
Syria, integrated into such an alliance, could benefit from Azerbaijan and Turkey’s expertise in transport and energy infrastructure development and gain access to the resources and investments needed for sustainable recovery. This partnership would also strengthen Syria’s position on the regional stage, creating new opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation.
How Can Azerbaijan Contribute?
The new era of Azerbaijani-Syrian relations opens up significant opportunities for comprehensive collaboration. Azerbaijan possesses extensive experience and resources in areas such as the oil and gas industry, logistics and transport, IT technologies, and workforce training. Meanwhile, Syria urgently needs partners to help rebuild its economy and infrastructure after a prolonged crisis. Mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries, supported at both state and business levels, could be key to a more stable and prosperous regional future.
Azerbaijan’s state oil company SOCAR could play a crucial role in restoring Syria’s oil and gas sector. SOCAR’s participation in developing fields like Al-Kashma in Deir ez-Zor province could lay the groundwork for robust economic cooperation between the two nations. Beyond extraction, SOCAR could contribute to restoring processing facilities, boosting Syria’s productivity and export potential. Azerbaijan could also serve as a reliable supplier of fuel and petroleum products to the Syrian market, addressing energy shortages vital for restarting the country’s economy.
In addition to the oil and gas sector, Azerbaijan is ready to share its expertise in training specialists for key industries. Azerbaijani educational institutions could offer Syrian students training in oil and gas, medicine, and IT. Particular attention could be given to the IT sector, including the development and implementation of e-government systems. This would enhance Syria’s public administration efficiency, improve access to services, and accelerate digital transformation. Joint educational and technological initiatives could form the basis for long-term, mutually beneficial cooperation.
Restoring railway connections between Turkey and Syria is another vital step toward creating new trade routes that could integrate regional economies. Rebuilding lines linking ports like Iskenderun and Mersin with Syrian cities such as Aleppo and Damascus would enable stable freight and passenger transport, boosting trade and economic activity.
Thanks to railway lines like Baku-Tbilisi-Kars and the prospective Zangezur Corridor, Azerbaijan could establish direct transport links with Syria, strengthening logistical and economic ties between the countries. Such projects would create a sustainable foundation for future collaboration, enhancing the efficiency of goods and raw material deliveries.
Azerbaijan has significant experience in mine clearance. The demining operations conducted in Karabakh demonstrate the country’s advanced technologies and skilled personnel in this field. Azerbaijan could share its expertise to help eliminate landmine threats in Syria’s war-affected regions, contributing to enhanced safety and security.
The agricultural sector is another promising platform for bilateral cooperation. Azerbaijan’s rapidly developing agricultural industry could serve as a model for reviving Syria’s war-damaged farmlands. Azerbaijan’s success in the production and export of agricultural goods opens up new opportunities for close collaboration in this field.
Conclusion
Azerbaijan’s actions — from providing humanitarian aid to its readiness to participate in rebuilding Syria’s economy and infrastructure—highlight its ambition to strengthen its presence and role in the Middle East. Investments in Syrian infrastructure, including modernizing transport corridors, could stimulate trade, foster regional economic cooperation, and enhance Syria’s position as a logistical hub in the region.
The budding collaboration between Azerbaijan and Syria is unfolding in one of the world’s most complex and unstable regions. Azerbaijan appears willing to embrace this challenge as part of its broader regional integration strategy. While maintaining strong ties with the West, Azerbaijan recognizes its growing role in the Greater Middle East. Ahead lie new steps and projects that could significantly influence the region’s future.
