Azerbaijan, Syria Sign Gas Supply Deal During President Sharaa’s Landmark Visit
Azerbaijan’s state oil company, SOCAR, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Syrian government for the supply of natural gas, marking a key milestone in the renewed ties between the two nations.
The deal was inked during Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa’s first official visit to Azerbaijan since taking office in January, signaling a significant shift in diplomatic relations after years of stagnation.
According to Azerbaijani state media outlet AZERTAC, the MoU was signed by Azerbaijan’s Economy Minister and SOCAR Supervisory Board Chairman, Mikayil Jabbarov, and Syria’s Energy Minister, Mohammed al-Bashir.
“Today, I accompanied President Ahmad Al-Sharaa in an official visit to Azerbaijan where we discussed ways to enhance cooperation in the field of natural gas to secure Syria’s energy future,” al-Bashir posted on X (formerly Twitter).
He described the agreement as a step toward “energy independence and strategic partnerships that serve the nation and its citizens.”
Earlier this month, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan cited Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev as saying Azerbaijan was ready to extend “all kinds of support” to Syria regarding natural gas.
In a statement, the Azerbaijani presidency confirmed that Presidents Aliyev and Sharaa held high-level talks with ministers and senior officials from both sides present.
President Aliyev acknowledged that previous strained ties were due to the “unfriendly policies of the former Syrian government,” but noted that the formation of a new administration in Damascus had “opened significant prospects for advancing relations.”
President Sharaa expressed gratitude for Azerbaijan’s support, stating that the former regime had “damaged relations with many countries, including Azerbaijan.” He reaffirmed Syria’s commitment to strengthening cooperation across political, economic, cultural, humanitarian, and educational sectors.
The two sides also discussed cultural restoration initiatives, including scholarships for Syrian students in Azerbaijan and the rehabilitation of cultural heritage sites.
Sharaa’s visit to Baku is part of a broader diplomatic push to reintegrate Syria into the international community following the collapse of Bashar Assad’s regime late last year. Since taking office on January 29, Sharaa has made official visits to Türkiye, France, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, the UAE, and Kuwait.
A transitional administration led by Sharaa was formed after Assad—who ruled Syria for nearly 25 years—fled to Russia in December, bringing an end to the Baath Party’s rule that had lasted since 1963.
