Jordan, Syria sign 11 agreements to strengthen strategic partnership

• Jordan and Syria signed 11 agreements covering various areas of cooperation during the third session of the Jordanian-Syrian Higher Coordination Council in Damascus.
• Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said Jordan has become Syria's leading partner in terms of actual returns, with bilateral trade tripling to $330 million in one year.

Jordan and Syria signed 11 agreements, memorandums of understanding and executive programs on Monday during the third session of the Jordanian-Syrian Higher Coordination Council in Damascus, as the two countries seek to expand bilateral cooperation and strengthen their strategic partnership.

Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi headed the Jordanian delegation, while Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani led the Syrian side.

The meetings focused on strengthening bilateral relations, following up on the outcomes of the council's second session, held in Amman last April, and expanding cooperation across several sectors.

Al-Shaibani said Jordan had become Syria's leading partner in terms of actual economic returns, revealing that bilateral trade had nearly tripled within one year to reach $330 million.

He also described Jordan as an extension of Syria's national security, stressing that Damascus remained committed to securing its borders and firmly confronting smuggling networks.

The Syrian foreign minister said Jordan had reaffirmed its support for Syria's unity and territorial integrity during the talks, adding that the strategic partnership between the two countries would remain strong despite potential challenges.

Safadi said relations between Amman and Damascus were currently at their strongest, confirming that the two sides had signed 11 agreements covering different areas of cooperation.

He stressed that Syria's security and stability were directly linked to Jordan's security and stability, highlighting ongoing coordination in border protection and counterterrorism efforts.

Safadi also emphasized the need for 'Israel' to withdraw from Syrian territories it occupied two years ago.

Safadi said Jordan and Syria shared a position rejecting 'Israel's' aggression against Syria and its measures in the occupied West Bank.

He recalled that His Majesty King Abdullah II had warned the international community during his address to the United Nations General Assembly about the dangers posed by 'Israeli' violations of Syrian sovereignty.

The third council session aims to translate political understandings into practical cooperation, with the agreements expected to advance economic, security and other bilateral ties between the neighboring countries.