As part of its strategy to extend its influence in the Eastern Mediterranean, Turkey wants to a conclude a maritime zone deal with Syria, its neighbor to the south, that will allow it to begin exploration for oil and gas shortly after.

Alparslan Bayraktar, Turkey’s energy minister, told Turkish digital media-based broadcasting platform GDH that the country will aim to sign an agreement in 2026 with Syria that will allow Turkish companies to begin exploring for oil and gas offshore from Syria.

“We have agreed a general framework with Syria but we’ll need to sign a specific agreement… I’m not saying that we’ll start drilling in 2026, but I hope there will be an agreement,” Bayraktar said.

By extending its already considerable influence in Syria, Turkey expects to put pressure on all its regional rivals: Cyprus, the Kurds and the Shiite governments in Iraq and Iran.

Source: Ekathimerini.com