Shboul commends Jordanian-Egyptian Joint Higher Committee meeting outcomes

AMMAN — Minister of Government Communications Faisal Shboul on Monday commended the outcomes of the 31st session of the Jordanian-Egyptian Joint Higher Committee.

The meetings concluded with the signing of a number of important documents and memoranda of understanding, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

In an interview with Egypt’s Middle East News Agency in Amman on the sidelines of the meetings, Shboul, who is also the government spokesperson, noted that the atmosphere of the meetings displayed the strong and long-standing ties between Jordan and Egypt. 

Shboul praised the joint committee’s exemplary role in shaping pan-Arab relations. 

The committee meetings, held at the Prime Minister's Office in Amman, focused on strengthening cooperation and overcoming challenges to open new avenues of cooperation for both nations, he said.

Stressing that both Jordan and Egypt share a deep concern for Arab food and pharmaceutical safety, Shboul praised the efforts of both countries to address these challenges. 

He also drew attention to the importance of the efforts of the quadripartite partnership, which includes the UAE and Bahrain, in terms of food security.

He also highlighted the global impact of Egypt’s pharmaceutical production, noting that discussions also focused on collaboration and integration, rather than competition, in accessing global markets.

The success story of the Arab Bridge Company was also highlighted during the meetings, Shboul said, noting that the company acts as a vital link between the two countries and has the potential to build “an amazing bridge” between Asia and Africa.

The profits generated by the company are reinvested into purchasing new ships, which will ease the movement of goods and passengers.

Turning to politics, Shboul   highlighted how Egypt and Jordan see eye-to-eye on various regional issues, most notably the Palestinian cause. 

Shboul also expressed appreciation for the Egyptian workforce in Jordan. “There are some problems in the labour market, especially with the challenges posed by the presence of refugees in Jordan, but there are no restrictions on Egyptian workers in the country,” the minister said.

Some Egyptian workers have been found to be in violation of Jordan's labour laws, and many workers from Egypt end up working in sectors unrelated to their original intentions. To address this, a set of measures have been taken to allow transitions between sectors for a four-month period, Shboul explained. 

There still remains a significant number of workers who need to rectify their status, leading the authorities to extend the period by two months, he said.