Turkey is aiming to strike a maritime demarcation agreement with Syria after a permanent government is formed in Damascus, according to Turkish Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu. The agreement would be in line with international law and would allow the two countries to determine authorities for oil and hydrocarbon exploration. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed the intention to improve ties with Syria in trade, energy, and defense. Turkey is also planning to start negotiations with the new Syrian administration on a possible maritime demarcation agreement.