Jordan, Palestine ink 14 agreements to bolster bilateral relations

AMMAN — Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh and his Palestinian counterpart Mohammad Mustafa signed 14 agreements and memoranda of understanding covering various aspects at the seventh session of the Jordanian-Palestinian Joint Higher Committee in Amman.

Both sides agreed on forming a technical follow-up committee to ensure the implementation of these agreements, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Khasawneh and Mustafa emphasised the two countries' deep, enduring fraternal relations and their commitment to strengthening them at all levels.

Khasawneh highlighted the meetings' significance amidst ongoing brutal Israeli aggression that must be stopped immediately against the people in Gaza. 

He also condemned the "unprecedented" Israeli escalation in the West Bank, stressing the importance of focusing on these violations and the systematic killing and destruction, which violate international laws.

Khasawneh noted that the Israeli aggression has resulted in approximately 36,000 deaths and widespread destruction of infrastructure.

The prime minister noted Jordan's efforts, led by His Majesty King Abdullah, in coordination with Palestinian and Arab "brothers" and international "friends", in calling for ending the Israeli aggression on Gaza and the illegal actions targeting the West Bank.

He also mentioned His Majesty's initiatives to coordinate the delivery of international humanitarian aid to Gaza and support for the West Bank.

He referred to the upcoming international conference, hosted jointly by His Majesty, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres on June 11 in Amman.

The conference aims to ensure comprehensive and sustainable humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza. 

Khasawneh highlighted efforts to achieve a sustainable ceasefire leading to the realisation of the two-state solution, with an independent, sovereign Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

He also reaffirmed King Abdullah's historical Hashemite custodianship over Jerusalem's Islamic and Christian holy sites.

Khasawneh stressed the alignment between Jordanian and Palestinian views on the immediate cessation of Israeli aggression on Gaza, developing a response plan to address the catastrophic effects of this aggression, and addressing the Israeli measures in the West Bank that have led to around half a million Palestinians losing their jobs.

He also emphasised the importance of regular meetings of the Jordanian-Palestinian Joint Higher Committee, noting that this session resulted in the signing of 14 agreements and memoranda of understanding aimed at enhancing cooperation in energy, youth cooperation, digital economy, information technology, trade exchange, logistics support, and facilitating the movement of goods and people through the ports.

The meetings discussed plans to develop the King Hussein Bridge area to accommodate the increasing trade exchange, which rose by 20 per cent in 2023, but still revolves around a modest figure of $425 million, which does not reflect the strength and depth of the relations between the two countries. 

He pointed out obstacles by Israeli occupation authorities hindering economic and trade cooperation and technical cooperation.

For his part, Mustafa conveyed President Mahmoud Abbas's greetings to King Abdullah, appreciating His Majesty's efforts, Crown Prince Hussein, and the Jordanian government in providing all forms of political, diplomatic, economic, relief, and humanitarian support to the Palestinian people and leadership. 

He also praised efforts to stop the Israeli aggression on Gaza and ensure the flow of humanitarian aid.

Mustafa reaffirmed the importance of King Abdullah's historical Hashemite custodianship in preserving Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.

He also commended Jordan's hosting of the emergency international conference on the urgent humanitarian response for Gaza on June 11.

Mustafa highlighted the political and security developments in the West Bank and Gaza, affecting people's lives and the economy, with around half a million Palestinians losing their jobs since October 7.