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Return of semblance of normalcy

Oct 16,2018 - Last updated at Oct 16,2018

The reopening of the Jaber/Nasib border crossing between Jordan and Syria on Monday ushers in a new era in the bilateral relations between Amman and Damascus after three years of complete closure and a rift in relations between the two countries, following the breakout of the civil war in Syria seven years ago.

Jordanians and Syrians were anxious about the restoration of the good old days when they were able to cross the Jaber/Nasib border with relative ease and comfort. Many Jordanians have relatives in Syria and the same goes for many Syrian people, and they would like nothing more than to be able to exchange visits with their loved ones with minimum hindrance.

The return of normalcy between the two neigbouring Arab countries will go a long way to resume family relations and commercial traffic between the two sides. The return of a semblance of normalcy between the countries does not necessarily mean that they see eye-to-eye on all regional issues, but it does contribute to more cooperation and coordination between them on many fronts.

For now, it is mostly passenger and cargo traffic that has actually resumed between the two countries, across the recently opened crossing. Yet, this could be just the beginning, as more traffic between them cannot only  grow with time but can also provide for the nurturing of a new political environment, as the civil war in Syria comes to an end and a political solution comes within sight.

Jordan has always championed a political solution to the crisis in Syria and now, at last, this seems to be materialising. Once complete peace is restored to Syria, the sky is the limit as to where bilateral relations between the two countries can reach. This way, hundreds of thousands of Syria refugees seeking sanctuary in Jordan may, at last, find a way to go back home and resume their normal life among their people and family members.

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