Türkiye, Jordan, Syria sign transport deal to boost trade

On Tuesday, the transport ministers of Türkiye, Jordan, and Syria signed a landmark trilateral agreement in Amman to enhance regional connectivity and trade flows along a strategic North-South axis. Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu, alongside Jordanian counterpart Nidal Qatamin and Syrian Minister Yarub Badr, described the memorandum as more than a technical meeting. “This is not merely a technical meeting on transport, but a strong declaration of will for the welfare of our peoples and regional development,” Uraloglu said, stressing that efficient logistics underpin political and economic stability.

Reviving the Hejaz Railway and trade corridors

Uraloglu emphasized the importance of activating the Türkiye-Syria-Jordan axis at full capacity, which would significantly boost export potential and transit revenues for all three nations, creating a multiplier effect. He highlighted the need to modernize road and rail infrastructure, reduce transit fees and additional costs, and remove barriers facing transport operators. A symbolic centerpiece is the revival of the Hejaz Railway, originally built by Ottoman Sultan Abdulhamid II in 1908 to connect Istanbul with Mecca, Medina, Yemen, and Damascus. The minister called for bringing this historic line up to modern standards while developing new rail links among the three countries.

Integrating Mediterranean and Red Sea ports

Uraloglu also pointed to the integration of maritime routes, noting that Türkiye and Syria’s Mediterranean port capacity should be combined with Jordan’s strategic access to the Red Sea via the Gulf of Aqaba. “Aqaba Port can serve as a land-sea bridge, transporting goods arriving from the north to the Red Sea and beyond,” he said. The unified logistics network would allow goods to flow seamlessly from Europe through Türkiye and Syria down to Jordan, then onward to the Arabian Peninsula and beyond.

Next steps and wider connectivity

As part of broader efforts to extend connectivity across the Arabian Peninsula and link it to Central Asia and Europe, technical delegations are expected to visit Saudi Arabia next week. For Türkiye, which prioritizes strengthening its role as a transit hub between Asia and Europe, this trilateral deal represents a strategic move to counter regional instability and boost economic cooperation with Arab neighbors. Ankara views the agreement as a concrete step toward sustainable trade growth and regional integration, reinforcing its leadership in reviving historic trade routes.