Türkiye and Syria Open Joint Congress on Local Governance in Damascus

The first bilateral congress on local administration between Türkiye and Syria opened in Damascus, organized as part of Syria's initiative to modernize its local governance structures.

Syrian Prime Minister Muhammad Naji al-Utri welcomed the gathering as a chance to strengthen ties between the two countries, while Syrian Environment and Local Government Minister Hilal al-Atrash expressed interest in learning from Türkiye's administrative experience.

Turkish Interior Minister Abdulkadir Aksu highlighted reforms that have reshaped public administration in Türkiye, crediting them with boosting the country's economic competitiveness and growth.

TOBB Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu noted that a free trade agreement between the two countries is set to take effect in 2007. He said bilateral trade currently stands at around 800 million USD, with a medium-term target of 4 billion USD.

The two-day congress was scheduled to conclude the following day.

Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in December 2006, in its own words.