Damascus, Nov. 9 ( SANA ) The Syrian capital, Damascus, hosted the third session of the Higher Coordination Council between the Syrian Arab Republic and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on November 8–9, 2026.
The session was co-chaired by Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani and Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi, with the participation of relevant ministers and officials from both countries.
The Council reaffirmed the two countries’ determination to further strengthen their historic fraternal relations, maintain coordination and consultations, expand sectoral cooperation, and deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership, in line with the visions and directives of Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Jordan’s King Abdullah II, and in a manner that serves the mutual interests of both countries and their peoples.
The Council reviewed progress in implementing the outcomes of its second session, held in the Jordanian capital, Amman, on April 11–12, 2026, as well as developments in bilateral relations across various fields, including intensified official visits, meetings, and technical and sectoral consultations.
It expressed satisfaction with the level of coordination between the two countries and their shared commitment to translating understandings into practical programs and projects that promote economic and developmental integration.
Reviewing Current and Future Areas of Cooperation
During its third session, the Council discussed existing and prospective cooperation across a wide range of sectors, including political and diplomatic coordination; economy, trade and investment; water; energy; agriculture and food security; transport and civil aviation; customs; the digital economy and information technology; tourism; justice and education.
The session also covered health; culture; higher education; religious affairs; sports and youth; local administration and the environment; finance; public works and housing; social affairs; labor; media; emergency and disaster management; border crossing development; joint economic cities; capacity building; institutional development; public administration; defense; security; and border security.
The Council reviewed the outcomes of high-level preparatory sectoral meetings held on November 8, 2026, and the results of the Joint Working Group on Strategic Projects meeting held in Damascus on September 23, 2026.
It welcomed progress in identifying priority projects and discussed the implementation steps needed to advance them, particularly in food, water and energy security, regional railway and digital connectivity, border crossing and transport corridor development, transit transport, aviation, and economic integration.
The Council commended the continued coordination and consultations between the two foreign ministries and their role in institutionalizing bilateral cooperation, monitoring the implementation of joint understandings, and strengthening communication among relevant ministries and institutions to ensure sustainable cooperation and achieve the desired results.
Expanding Economic Cooperation and Strengthening Integration
In the economic, commercial and investment sectors, the Council affirmed its commitment to advancing bilateral economic cooperation and integration, particularly in trade, industry and investment.
It also emphasized addressing technical, logistical and legislative challenges affecting trade flows and the development of joint supply chains, especially in the pharmaceutical and food industries and industries associated with reconstruction.
The Council discussed ways to maximize the benefits of the Syrian-Jordanian Joint Free Zone, develop its industrial, logistical and investment activities, and explore establishing a joint economic city along the border that would accommodate industrial, production and service activities, attract investment and promote economic integration.
It further stressed the importance of completing the procedures necessary to activate the Joint Jordanian-Syrian Business Council and strengthening partnerships between private-sector institutions in both countries.
The Council welcomed stronger institutional cooperation in investment, the exchange of information on priority projects, and discussions on mechanisms for their development and financing, including projects identified by Syria for potential financing through the Syrian Investment Fund dedicated to reconstruction, in coordination with relevant donors and financing institutions.
Strengthening Cooperation in Managing Shared Water Resources
In the water sector, the Council emphasized the importance of continuing meetings of the Joint Technical Water Committee, strengthening cooperation in managing shared water resources, and pursuing studies on the development of the Yarmouk River Basin to reach understandings on the equitable distribution of water shares.
It also called for completing the joint data and information exchange platform and developing water measurement and monitoring systems.
The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on a joint cloud-seeding project.
Discussions also covered potential cooperation on a strategic project to convey desalinated coastal water and the possibility of both countries benefiting through joint bilateral projects, alongside the wider adoption of modern irrigation technologies, smart agriculture and water conservation practices.
Strengthening Cooperation to Meet Syria’s Gas Needs
In the energy sector, the Council discussed enhancing cooperation to meet Syria’s natural gas requirements, including the possibility of supplying industrial facilities in southern Syria with compressed natural gas from Jordan’s Risha gas field.
It also examined utilizing storage capacity in the Madouna area to supply southern Syrian regions with petroleum products.
The Council discussed enabling Syria to benefit from Jordanian expertise in liquefied natural gas storage and regasification, exchanging technical expertise, and coordinating Syria’s natural gas requirements for 2027.
It also examined arrangements for supplying natural gas to Lebanon through Syrian territory and the possibility of using gas supplied from Jordan to generate electricity at Syrian power plants and export the resulting electricity to Lebanon.
The Council stressed the importance of continuing trilateral coordination to finalize the necessary technical, commercial and contractual arrangements.
Establishing a Joint Agro-Industrial Zone
In the food security sector, the Council discussed cooperation in managing strategic reserves of essential commodities, exchanging expertise in early-warning systems, expanding grain storage capacity, and potentially utilizing surplus Syrian wheat and barley production.
It also explored expanding trade in essential commodities and joint agricultural investment.
In agriculture, the Council discussed establishing a joint agro-industrial zone within the Syrian-Jordanian Free Zone, including a food-processing and manufacturing complex.
The two sides also considered strengthening cooperation in marketing agricultural products, including studying the possibility of Syria joining the Jordanian-Palestinian Agricultural Products Marketing Company.
In transport, the Council emphasized developing road infrastructure and trade corridors between the two countries, facilitating the movement of trucks and goods, and improving transit transport.
It welcomed efforts to rehabilitate the international highway linking Syria and Jordan and develop the Damascus–Homs–Aleppo corridor to facilitate Syrian and Jordanian truck traffic.
The two sides agreed to expand exemptions relating to transport movements to reduce delays and cargo transshipment.
The Council stressed the importance of advancing the regional railway corridor project linking Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
It welcomed ongoing technical coordination with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye and progress in exchanging studies on railway connection segments. The Council agreed to complete technical studies and cost estimates, explore investment and financing opportunities, and examine the reactivation of the Hejaz Railway.
In aviation, the Council discussed strengthening cooperation between the two countries’ civil aviation authorities, exchanging expertise in aviation safety, and exploring cooperation in aircraft maintenance, aviation services and the establishment of aviation training centers benefiting from Jordanian expertise.
Developing the Nassib–Jaber Border Crossing
In customs and border crossings, the Council emphasized implementing a comprehensive joint plan to develop the Nassib–Jaber crossing into a model border facility meeting international standards.
The plan includes separating truck and passenger lanes, upgrading traffic management and information exchange systems, and working toward round-the-clock operation.
The Council also called for establishing joint working teams and appointing customs liaison officers from both countries to address operational challenges and facilitate trade and supply chains.
In the digital economy and information technology sector, the Council welcomed progress in implementing the Syrian-Jordanian “Darb al-Safa” connectivity project and stressed the importance of completing the technical and operational procedures required for its inauguration.
It also discussed establishing a joint regional internet exchange point and strengthening cooperation in data centers and cloud computing services.
The Council emphasized developing a regional digital corridor linking Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Syria to Europe, enhancing regional connectivity and providing secure, reliable data transmission routes.
The two sides agreed to expand cooperation in digital transformation and digital government services, and to encourage information technology companies to participate in specialized forums and exhibitions, including the second Syrian-Jordanian Information and Communications Technology Forum, scheduled to take place in Aqaba in April 2027.
Developing the Capabilities of Syria’s Public Sector
Regarding training, capacity building and institutional development for Syrian public-sector personnel and security agencies, the Council emphasized continued cooperation with international and regional donors and financing institutions to support Jordan’s training and institutional development programs for Syria’s public sector, in accordance with Syrian needs and priorities.
The Council welcomed a second memorandum of understanding expected to be signed soon to train 1,450 Syrian public-sector employees.
This would build on existing cooperation between Syria’s Ministry of Administrative Development and the Jordanian Institute of Public Administration, as well as their first memorandum of understanding, under which training programs were implemented for 138 Syrian leadership and administrative personnel.
The Council stressed the importance of continuing and expanding this cooperation.
Continuing Cooperation and Coordination to Address Shared Challenges
On the political front, the Council commended “the responsible and constructive approaches adopted by both countries in addressing regional challenges, and their governments’ focus on diplomacy and building strategic partnerships amid serious regional escalation.”
It said those approaches strengthen confidence in the political, social and economic trajectories of both countries and support opportunities for domestic and regional stability.
The Council emphasized the importance of each country’s role in supporting the other’s security and stability.
The Syrian side expressed appreciation for Jordan’s leading role in supporting Syria’s political process and standing alongside the new Syrian state.
The Council affirmed that Syria’s security, stability and territorial integrity constitute a fundamental pillar of regional security and stability.
It stressed the importance of continued bilateral cooperation and coordination to address shared challenges, including combating terrorism, drug and arms smuggling, and strengthening border security.
The Council also commended both governments’ efforts to control their borders and prevent smuggling.
It underscored the importance of joint efforts to encourage the international community to support Syria’s engagement with international financial institutions, describing this as a key requirement for successful reconstruction and economic recovery.
The Council also stressed the need to create suitable conditions for the voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return of Syrian refugees, calling on the international community to fulfill its responsibilities toward them.
Calling for an End to Israeli Interventions and Attacks
The Council stressed the need to halt all repeated Israeli interventions and attacks on Syrian territory, particularly in southern Syria.
It condemned these actions as flagrant violations of international law and Syrian sovereignty that undermine the country’s security, stability and the safety of its citizens, threaten regional security and stability, and violate the 1974 Disengagement Agreement between Syria and Israel.
The Council demanded Israel’s immediate withdrawal to the lines established under the Disengagement Agreement, stressing that these attacks undermine the Syrian government’s recovery efforts and threaten regional security and stability.
It reaffirmed that the occupied Syrian Golan is Syrian Arab territory and that Israel’s decision to annex it and impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration is null and void and has no legal effect, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 497 of 1981.
The Council rejected all unilateral measures aimed at changing the Golan’s legal and demographic status, including settlement expansion.
It reiterated Syria’s right to recover the entire occupied Golan up to the June 4, 1967 line, based on international legitimacy resolutions and the principle prohibiting the acquisition of territory by force.
Supporting Efforts to Reduce Regional Tensions
The Council reviewed the latest regional and international developments, emphasizing the importance of strengthening regional security and stability, supporting efforts to de-escalate tensions, and addressing common challenges.
Supporting the Lebanese Government’s Efforts to Exercise Sovereignty
The Council expressed solidarity with Lebanon and support for its security, stability and sovereignty.
It emphasized the need to consolidate stability in Lebanon and support the Lebanese government’s efforts to exercise sovereignty over all Lebanese territory.
The Council also called for Israel’s withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory and implementation of the understandings reached with the Lebanese government.
Eight Memoranda of Understanding, Two Executive Programs and a Cooperation Protocol Signed
At the conclusion of its third session, the Council welcomed the signing of eight memoranda of understanding, two executive programs and one cooperation protocol covering food security, agriculture and the environment, investment, water, railway transport, youth, public administration and civil service, civil aviation, higher education and scientific research, and educational cooperation.
The Council said these agreements would strengthen the institutional frameworks for bilateral cooperation and help translate shared understandings into practical programs and projects.
The two sides agreed to hold the Council’s fourth session in the Jordanian capital, Amman, on a date to be determined later.
They also agreed to continue monitoring the implementation of the Council’s outcomes through their respective foreign ministries and relevant sectoral authorities.
Mazen
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