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Debate Over Maritime Border Delimitation and Gas Line in the Eastern Mediterranean
A significant number of Syrians expressed their strong dissatisfaction following reports of the commencement of maritime border delimitation in the Eastern Mediterranean, in addition to discussions about the Arab Gas Pipeline intended to connect Egypt with Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, then Turkey, and ultimately to Europe, under the current caretaker Syrian government.
Syrian journalist Ahmad Al-Rihawi stated in a tweet on X platform: “Mr. Al-Shaibani, we confirm that you have no right to enter into strategic agreements or otherwise. - The Qatari gas line should only pass through official diplomatic channels after the elections. - Maritime border delimitation with Turkey is not within your authority, and you do not have the legal, constitutional, or public legitimacy to undertake such matters. With utmost respect.”
On the other hand, Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu stated at the end of December that any agreement regarding this matter would enhance the influence of both countries in exploring energy resources, explaining that any future arrangements would be made in accordance with international laws. The Turkish minister affirmed that Ankara hopes to reach an understanding with the new Syrian administration regarding maritime border delimitation, noting that a potential agreement would allow both countries to expand their oil and gas exploration areas according to international legal frameworks.
It is noteworthy that the idea of creating the Qatari-Turkish gas line, which passes through the aforementioned Arab countries, dates back to 2009 when the project was discussed at a summit in Istanbul between Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, then Prime Minister of Turkey, and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. The goal of the project was to connect the Qatari North Gas Field to Turkey via a line spanning 1,500 kilometers at an estimated cost of around $10 billion.
Observers believe that the project could enhance the energy sector in Syria, which possesses significant potential. This sector could contribute to the efforts of rebuilding the state, particularly if Syria can restore its oil production levels to pre-war figures of around 400,000 barrels per day, with reports indicating that production once reached half a million barrels daily. Annual revenues could reach up to $15 billion at a price of $70 per barrel, resources that may be desperately needed to rebuild its infrastructure devastated by the conflict.
However, activist Mohamed Jamil views the signing of strategic agreements by the interim government as an attempt to solidify its authority, indicating that such decisions fall within the remit of a government elected by the Syrian people, not the responsibilities of a caretaker administration.
