Jordan, Bahrain sign 7 cooperation agreements

AMMAN — The Joint Jordanian-Bahraini Higher Committee held its fifth session in Manama on Thursday, co-chaired by Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh on the Jordanian side, and Prince Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Bahrain's Crown Prince and Prime Minister, that  witnessed the signing of a slew of cooperation agreements.

During the meeting at Al Qudaibiya Palace in Manama, Khasawneh conveyed the greetings of His Majesty King Abdullah and HRH Crown Prince Hussein to the Bahraini Crown Prince, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

During the meetings, the two sides discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in all fields of joint interest, referring to shared views on various Arab and regional issues.

The two sides focused on the Palestinian cause and expressed their support for a just and comprehensive solution which would lead to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with full sovereignty on June 4, 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The premier and Bahrain’s Crown Prince affirmed the “deep-rooted, fraternal and historic” relations between the two countries, and expressed their keenness to develop them in various fields to serve their joint interests, in implementation of the directives of King Abdullah and King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa.

In addition, the two sides said that the volume of trade exchange is still “modest, and does not meet level of aspirations and capabilities available in both countries”, stressing commitment to taking necessary measures to remove any obstacles hindering trade flow.

Khasawneh said that the Jordanian-Bahraini relations are “deep-rooted” and based on a “rich” history and relations between the two countries’ leaderships.

The prime minister and the Crown Prince of Bahrain referred to the importance of joint Jordanian-Bahraini Higher Committee meetings in supporting and boosting the cooperation process, stressing the significance of institutionalising the committee meetings periodically in the two kingdoms.

The two sides also discussed opportunities to expand cooperation, especially in the trade, economy, investment, medical and nursing sectors, as well as culture, education, entrepreneurship, human resources and e-services.

The two officials’ discussions also went over ways to boost connectivity via the two countries’ optical fibre network and en route both kingdoms to countries of the East and West and enhance entry of Jordanian medicines and agricultural products, mainly vegetables, fruits and meat, to the Bahraini market.

Khasawneh referred to Jordan’s efforts to create an attractive environment for domestic and foreign investment, noting the adoption of a new law regulating the investment environment and stressing that the Kingdom welcomes Bahraini investment and any partnerships between sovereign funds in the two countries.

The prime minister reviewed Jordan’s comprehensive modernisation programme and its three political, economic and administrative tracks.

Bahrain’s crown prince and prime minister affirmed that relations between the two countries hold significant importance and expressed aspirations to strengthen them through the joint higher committee.

He stressed Bahrain’s interest in expanding cooperation with Jordan in various fields and removing any obstacles to their cooperation, mainly in trade.

Members of the committee listened to a briefing on the preparatory committee meetings presented by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply, Minister of Labour Yousef Shamali and Bahraini Minister for Foreign Affairs Abdul Latif Al Zayani, where the two ministers noted that the committee had reached seven agreements, memoranda of understanding and executive programmes, as well as a series of agreements to be signed in the coming period.

Khasawneh and his Bahraini counterpart witnessed the signing of seven agreements and memoranda of understanding, including: a memorandum of understanding between the private sectors in Jordan and Bahrain; a memorandum of understanding in the field of employment and vocational training; and a memorandum of understanding in the field of health.

They also included an operational programme for youth cooperation for 2023-2025; executive programme of cooperation in the field of education; granting of sovereignty over information; and announcing Jordan as a partner of Bahrain’s Maritime-Air Cargo Services Centre.

The two prime ministers signed the minutes of the meetings of fifth Joint Jordanian-Bahraini Higher Committee meeting.