Jordan and Syria... Al-Safadi and Al-Shaibani announce the signing of cooperation agreements and stress the importance of security and stability

On Monday, Syria and Jordan signed 11 cooperation agreements between the two countries, including a railway connection memorandum that paves the way for a regional corridor from Saudi Arabia to Türkiye, passing through the two countries. Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Al-Safadi said, during a press conference in the Syrian capital, Damascus, with his Syrian counterpart, Asaad Al-Shaibani, that the two sides signed 11 agreements to “strengthen the process of integration.”

In his speech, Al-Safadi touched on the importance of Syria's security and stability for Jordan and the region, noting that Jordan is working with Syria to build the future of a "free, secure and stable Syrian state." The press conference comes after the Karak Church attack in Jordan, which killed 9 people. Amman responded by launching air strikes against targets in Syrian territory that it said were related to the perpetrators of the attack.

For his part, the Syrian Foreign Minister said during the press conference that the relationship between the two countries reflects Damascus' approach "based on good neighbourliness, respect for sovereignty, and building partnerships based on common interests. We firmly believe that Jordan's security is an extension of Syria's security, and vice versa." Regarding the cooperation agreements, Al-Shaibani said: “Among the most prominent achievements is the railway connection memorandum that paves the way for the regional corridor linking Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Syria to Turkey, in addition to the memorandum on rain seeding in the Yarmouk River Basin, the food security and supply protocol, the investment and civil aviation memorandums, and the executive program for grants and scientific exchange.”

Al-Shaibani also explained that it was agreed to “upgrade the Jaber-Nasib crossing to become a model gate operating around the clock, equipped with separate lanes for trucks and passengers, with electronic customs connectivity.” He also pointed out that the two sides decided to "rehabilitate the international road between the two countries at a cost of $47 million, in addition to studying the establishment of a joint economic city on the border, modernizing the free zone, and activating the joint business council."

Al-Shaibani confirmed, "Syria's readiness to pass gas to Lebanon, which was discussed in detail in a tripartite meeting with our brothers in Beirut. We discussed ways to support Jordanian food security from surplus Syrian wheat and barley, and preparations for launching the Darb al-Safa communications project, in addition to agreeing to train 1,450 Syrian employees within a second phase."