Had not signed an official agreement with Turkey: Shara grants operation of Latakia Port to French company

Syria's new administration announced that it would extend the contract with French shipping company CMA CGM regarding the operation of the Port of Latakia. During the meeting between Macron and Shara, it was confirmed that CMA CGM would continue to operate the port. While congratulating Shara on his new role, Macron extended an invitation for him to visit France. The meeting also addressed issues such as security problems in Syria and the easing of economic sanctions.

The Shara administration, which held a meeting with CMA CGM, allowed the company to continue operating the port in exchange for revising the existing port operation agreement. CMA CGM also held the operating rights for the Port of Latakia during the Assad era.

In his meeting with Shara, Macron stated that they would make efforts to lift sanctions in order to help Syria's economic recovery. The European Union (EU) also announced that it is considering easing the sanctions imposed on Syria. On the other hand, the US had relaxed some restrictions on humanitarian aid operations in January, but maintained the sanctions.

Former HTS leader and Al-Qaeda member Ahmed al-Shara (code name Golani) was added to the UN's list of wanted terrorists for carrying out bomb attacks against civilians. Shara has previously described the attacks he organized as a 'youthful mistake'

SHARA WANTS SANCTIONS TO END

During the meeting, Shara drew attention to the difficulties the Syrian people are facing due to the sanctions. The figure, who is on the UN's terror list for organizing bomb attacks on behalf of Al-Qaeda, also touched upon security problems in the region and emphasized the need for international cooperation.

According to a report by Harici, changes were made to the lease term and revenue sharing in the revised contract. It is stated that the ties of the family of the company's founder, Jacques Saade, to the region were influential in CMA CGM remaining in Latakia.

CMA CGM signed a contract in 2009 to operate the container terminal at the Port of Latakia. When the contract expired in 2019, the Assad administration extended its agreement with the company until 2024. The new administration has renewed the contract this time for a 30-year period.

CMA CGM founder Jacques R. Saade is known to have 'close ties' with the economic elite in Syria Source: Forbes

EU'S SYRIA POLICY

The European Union has gradually lifted sanctions on the Syrian economy, allowing EU shippers to trade with the ports of Latakia and Tartus. This step is expected to help Syria reintegrate into the international trade network.

The new administration in Syria has also made changes regarding the management of the ports. For example, the contract at the Port of Tartus had been transferred to a Russian operator. The agreement made by the Russians for the Port of Tartus was canceled by the new administration.

As for Turkey's economic rights in the region, no agreement has been signed yet. Following Shara's capture of Damascus, it was announced that Turkey would train the new security units to be established in Syria. It was also said that Turkish construction firms would play a role in the reconstruction of the country. However, the Shara administration has not taken any steps on these matters so far, other than increasing customs duties applied to Turkey by up to 400 percent and discussing the training of new security forces with Saudi Arabia.

Following Shara's seizure of power, Russian troops abandoned the naval base they had built in Tartus

News Source: 12punto