Turkey and Syria on Thursday signed a protocol regarding construction of a natural gas pipeline. Turkish Energy & Natural Resources Minister Taner Yildiz and Syrian Oil Minister Sufiyan al-Aw signed the protocol in Damascus.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, Yildiz said Arab natural gas was an important part of Turkey's energy policies.
Yildiz said an important step has been taken on Syria's gas supply thanks to the natural gas pipeline, underlining the importance of the protocol for the region.
Yildiz said they planned to conclude construction of the pipeline within 15 or 18 months, indicating that Egypt's natural gas could be shipped to Europe via Turkey after completion of the pipeline.
Syrian minister said Turkey and Syria have initiatives to explore oil jointly and noted that talks were underway to establish a joint company.