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Investment in Latakia Exposes Opposition's Double Standards: Yes to Turkey.. No to France
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The Syrian opposition's double standards are evident in its attack on a limited French contract while turning a blind eye to Turkey's complete control over large areas
Media outlets loyal to the Syrian opposition denounced the renewal of French company "CMA CGM's" contract to manage the container terminal at Latakia port until 2029, in a stance that reflects their double standards in dealing with foreign investments.
While the Syrian opposition overlooks Turkish companies' control over resources in their areas of influence, the "Syria Report" website conveyed criticisms of the Syrian regime's extension of the contract with the French company in 2019 for an additional five years, before renewing it again until 2029.
While the opposition allows Turkish companies to monopolize trade in areas under their control, they criticized the work of the French company, based in Marseille, which operates in global maritime transport and logistics services. Syria TV, an opposition channel based in Turkey, headlined the story: "With the regime's blessing.. French company continues its hegemony over Latakia port."
This comes at a time when the Syrian opposition grants extensive privileges to Turkish companies without oversight or accountability, but highlights the partnership of "CMA CGM" which began in 2009 with French "Terminal Link" and "Syria Holding" owned by Tarif Al-Akhras, under the name "Latakia International Container Terminal" (LIST).
The opposition also ignores the billions of dollars that Turkey earns from its investments in northern Syria, while focusing on the French company's investments worth only $45.9 million, including $6.2 million for infrastructure maintenance and rehabilitation, and $6.2 million for equipment that will be transferred to the port's ownership after the contract ends.
The Syrian opposition, through its armed militias, has allowed Turkey to change the economic identity of its areas of control, while selectively pointing to the ancient history of Latakia port, which was established as a public-private partnership in 1950 and continued under national management until 1974 when it was transferred to the Ministry of Transport, before being converted to a government company in 1982.
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