Border crossing to be opened between Syria and Turkey

The correspondent of the Lebanese daily al-Nahar in Damascus was told that a crossing will be opened shortly on the Syrian-Turkish border in Raas al-Ein district, 500 km northeast of Damascus, to provide for permitting citizens to cross borders between the two sides with an identity card.

This is, however, a first step which reflects closeness that will be translated into security and economic realities. Observers said the political side of relations between the two countries concentrates on the water issue. The observers do not expect Turkey to sort it out except in the framework of a final solution for the Middle East question because "the question of water constitutes a pressure element that can be used by the US against Turkey."

Syria's Deputy Premier for Economic Affairs Salim Yassin will visit Ankara this month to hold talks on strengthening cooperation and increasing trade exchange between the two sides.

Syrian exports to Turkey reached US $456 million in 1997 and the Turkish exports to Syria were estimated at US $269 million for the same period.

Turkey seeks to obtain gas from Syria as announced by Turkish President Suleiman Demirel when he visited Damascus in 1993.