Turkey has announced multiple initiatives to engage with Syria's new government, including planned energy cooperation and a framework for refugee returns, as Ankara moves to normalise relations following President Bashar al-Assad's collapse.

Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced that a Turkish delegation will visit Syria "soon" to assess the country's energy infrastructure and discuss potential electricity supplies.

Syria currently suffers from significant energy shortages due to a failure of the national grid which Turkish companies are now set to snap up. 

"The main problem in Syria in the field of energy is the electricity shortage at the moment. A formula will be sought for Turkey to provide electricity to Syria," Bayraktar told reporters after a Cabinet meeting on December 24.

Energy cooperation could extend beyond Syria, with Bayraktar noting that discussions might include electricity provision to Lebanon following recent requests from Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

Turkey currently supplies power to parts of northern Syria around Idlib where it has maintained a military and economic presence since 2016. That area of the country has been one of the most active economic areas since the Turkish-backed occupation of the region.

In parallel developments, Turkey's Interior Ministry announced plans to establish immigration management offices at Turkey's newly reopened embassy in Damascus and consulate in Aleppo to facilitate the "voluntary and honourable" return of Syrian refugees currently residing in Turkey.

There are an estimated 7mn Syrians currently residing in Turkey which the country looks to gradually repatriate in the coming months and years

These initiatives follow recent high-level engagement between the two countries, including visits by Turkey's intelligence chief and foreign minister to meet with Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa.

President Erdogan last week pledged Turkish support for Syria's reconstruction, highlighting energy infrastructure as a priority area.

Turkey's rapid engagement with Syria's new leadership marks a significant shift in policy, as Ankara had previously backed opposition forces during the 13-year civil war that ended with Assad's overthrow this month.