Turkey has agreed to assist Syria in printing official documents, including passports, identity cards, and driving licences. This comes in response to a formal request made by the new Syrian administration as part of a restructuring process after the fall of the Assad regime in a country that has witnessed a virtual collapse of its infrastructure.
Ankara’s willingness to assist its southern neighbour is part of broader normalisation efforts between the two countries. According to media reports, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has instructed the relevant ministries to prepare for the initiative. Technical preparations are also said to be underway to ensure that documents meet the international standards for security and identification.
Turkish officials have said that they plan to adopt a system similar to its own chip-based passport, ID card, and driving licence production for the citizens of Syria.
Once stability is restored in Syria, Turkey plans to revoke the refugee status of Syrians and treat them on par with other foreign nationals. Passports and visas will be required for entry into Turkey, although visa processing will be simplified for Syrians. Under the new regulations, those who decide to stay in Turkey will have to apply for a residence permit.
