Jordan-Syria ministerial meeting calls for boosting economic ties

AMMAN — The two-day Jordanian-Syrian ministerial meeting that Amman hosted over to enhance economic cooperation between the countries was concluded on Tuesday. 

The Prime Ministry’s final communiqué said that the talks covered the Jordanian-Syrian Transport Company and means to find solutions to its problems. Discussions also went over means to facilitate the flow of goods and passenger movement. 

Ministers on both sides highlighted the importance of a plan to increase economic cooperation between Amman and Damascus and address any obstacles facing commercial exchange and transport. 

The ministers called for enhancing partnerships in the energy, water and agricultural fields.

In the trade and industry field, both sides agreed to exchange lists of priority commodities to enhance commercial exchange. The sides also overviewed the necessary procedures to reopen the Jordanian-Syrian Free Zone.

Relating to the water sector, the two countries agreed to reactivate the joint water committee to follow up on implementing a 1987 agreement and increase cooperation to benefit from the Yarmouk water basin. 

The two sides also overviewed cooperation in the energy and electricity fields and means to reactivate the Jordanian-Syrian electric connection line. They emphasised drawing a map to rehabilitate the damaged power grid in Syria. 

They agreed to continue with the Jordanian-Syrian Technical Committee’s work, which started in August following the visit of the Syrian ministers of oil and electricity to Jordan in June this year. The committee is composed of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and the Syrian Ministry of Electricity.

As for the agricultural sector, both sides agreed to exchange documents to develop a scientific, technical and agricultural cooperation agreement. They also agreed to exchange lists of agricultural commodities and the agricultural calendar before organising the agricultural commercial exchange. 

Following the meetings, Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Bisher Al Khasawneh received the Syrian ministerial delegation and highlighted the importance of enhancing cooperation and coordination between the countries in several fields, in a way that serves joint interests.

The Prime Ministry statement noted that Khasawneh stressed the need for these meetings and visits to push projects that benefit both countries and enhance the “historical and brotherly” ties between Amman and Damascus. 

The prime minister and the delegates also discussed means to expedite procedures for transporting Egyptian gas and electricity to Lebanon through Jordan and Syria after rehabilitating the power grid in Syria. 

Khasawneh stressed that Jordan is keen to support Lebanon through its difficult economic circumstances.