Jordan hosts summit to address Syria’s transition, regional stability

AMMAN — In a diplomatic move, Jordan on Sunday convened the “Syria and Neighbouring Countries Meeting” in Amman, bringing together key regional actors to discuss a coordinated approach to Syria’s security and stability. 

The meeting, which included foreign ministers, defence ministers, intelligence chiefs, and military officials from Jordan, Türkiye, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon, tackled pressing regional challenges, including border security, counterterrorism initiatives, and the ongoing refugee crisis.

It also underscored the region’s collective commitment to supporting Syria through its transitional phase and safeguarding regional peace.

The inaugural meeting focused on a unified regional stance to support Syria in its recovery and ensure the sovereignty of its state, protecting the rights of its citizens. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi highlighted Jordan’s commitment to the restoration of Syria’s territorial integrity, stressing that the ultimate goal was to bring Syria back to stability and security.

Safadi also reiterated the importance of combatting terrorism, particularly the growing threat of ISIS. “A unified position was established to launch a collective effort to neutralise ISIS’s expanding influence, not only in Syria but throughout the region,” he said.

“We are united in our determination to work together to preserve the security of our nations,” Safadi added. “A threat to any country in the region is a threat to us all.”

Strengthening regional security

A key outcome of the meeting was a renewed commitment to confronting arms and drug smuggling, organised crime, and the rise of terrorist groups. Participants agreed on the importance of intelligence sharing, strategic collaboration and a united front to prevent the further destabilisation of the region.

Following the discussions, Safadi and his counterparts held a joint press conference, outlining key outcomes and emphasising the importance of regional dialogue and coordination in fostering stability in Syria and the broader region.

Safadi highlighted the importance of lifting sanctions on Syria as a necessary step for its economic recovery. “Syria’s stability is fundamental to the security of the region,” Safadi said, noting that lifting sanctions would aid Syria’s reconstruction and bolster its institutional resilience.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asad Shibani also called for lifting the sanctions to enable Syria’s sustainable development. “We are committed to ensuring peace for all Syrians. We have suffered the consequences of past atrocities, and we will work to prevent their recurrence,” he stressed.

Iraq’s Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein emphasised the critical need for close coordination to combat ISIS’s resurgence. “ISIS’s growing numbers and territorial reach are a serious concern. Combating this requires joint regional efforts, particularly in sharing intelligence and aligning our strategies,” Hussein said.

Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan echoed these sentiments, stressing that the security challenges in Syria cannot be solved in isolation. “Without a coordinated, multilateral effort, the crises will deepen, and instability will worsen,” Fidan warned.

Fidan also stressed the importance of turning dialogue into actionable solutions. “This meeting reinforced the need for a cooperative platform to ensure long-term stability and security,” he added.

With the success of the first meeting, Safadi announced that Türkiye would host the next round of talks in the coming month. "The goal is to institutionalise this diplomatic mechanism, ensuring that Syria receives consistent support and that the collective interests of all participating states are advanced," he added.