Joint Statement between The Syrian Arab Republic and The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Joint Statement between The Syrian Arab Republic and The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
The second session of the Higher Coordination Council between the Syrian Arab Republic and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan convened in Amman, the capital of Jordan, on Sunday, April 12, 2026. The session was chaired by both the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Syrian Arab Republic, Mr. Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Mr. Ayman Safadi. Thirty ministers from both countries participated. The Council had the honor of meeting with His Majesty King Abdullah II, in the presence of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II. Minister al-Shaibani conveyed the greetings of His Excellency President Ahmed al-Sharaa to His Majesty, who in turn asked that his greetings be conveyed to the President al-Sharaa.
The Council affirmed the two countries’ determination to maintain sectoral coordination and consultation, and to dedicate and deepen bilateral cooperation into a comprehensive strategic partnership, in accordance with the visions and directives of His Excellency the President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Mr. Ahmed al-Sharaa, and his brother, His Majesty King Abdullah II, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, may God protect them.
The Council reviewed the progress made since its first session on May 20, 2025, in Damascus, Syria, including bilateral interactions and reciprocal visits that led to expanding and institutionalizing sectoral cooperation, particularly in vital strategic sectors that benefit both countries. The Council expressed its satisfaction with the continued development of bilateral relations and the mutual commitment to further strengthening them.
During the current session, the Council discussed existing and desired cooperation paths in the sectors of foreign affairs, energy, water, transport, industry, trade, customs, agriculture, health, investment, media, international cooperation, tourism, information technology, justice, education, higher education, scientific research, endowments, social development, labor, public sector development, and youth.
The Council reviewed the deliberations of the high-level preparatory sectoral sessions, which were held on 11/4/2026 in the form of simultaneous specialized dialogue sessions, and welcomed the resulting agreements and understandings that would enhance the strategic partnership between the two brotherly countries in all sectors.
The Council commended the continuous development and steady growth of relations between the two countries, in implementation of the directives of the leadership of the two countries, and the effective levels of coordination and consultation between the foreign ministries of the two brotherly countries.
The Council welcomed the agreement to hold a week of diplomatic interaction between the two countries’ foreign ministries, including dialogues, meetings and joint workshops within the framework of exchanging experiences and knowledge between the various directorates and departments of the two countries’ foreign ministries, and enhancing coordination between the two countries’ diplomatic missions abroad.
The Council reviewed the outcomes of the specialized session held during the preparatory meeting on April 11, 2026, as part of the Council's second session. The Council agreed to formalize this cooperation by forming a representative working group from relevant sectors. This group will be tasked with identifying joint strategic projects, based on ideas discussed, that will benefit both countries and serve as a springboard for broader regional cooperation in areas such as regional telecommunications interconnection, food security, railway connectivity, water security, energy security, developing the infrastructure of the Nassib-Jaber border crossing, developing infrastructure for transit transport, air transport, and industrial integration.
In the economic sphere, the Council affirmed its commitment to elevating the level of economic, trade, and investment cooperation to achieve economic integration that will positively impact both brotherly nations. The Council welcomed the new trade exchange mechanism, which will be implemented starting May 1, 2026, based on the principle of reciprocity, including the equalization of customs duties. The Council also welcomed the resumption of transit trade between the two countries. Furthermore, the Council emphasized the importance of activating mechanisms for the mutual utilization of seaports in both countries to enhance the flow of trade through them.
In the field of international cooperation, the Council agreed to institutionalize a joint communication mechanism with international and regional donor, funding and specialized bodies to finance institutional development programs, develop and enhance the capabilities of the Syrian public sector, and support joint vital sector projects and developmental integration approved by both parties according to Syria’s needs and priorities.
The Council agreed to continue cooperation in the field of capacity building and human resource development in the Syrian public sector, and to expand it to include specialized training fields in multiple sectors.
In the transportation sector, both sides affirmed their commitment to continued bilateral cooperation across all modes of transport: air, land, sea, and rail. The Council discussed developing targeted land transport procedures to achieve maximum ease and flexibility in operations, ultimately aiming to restore direct transport services
The Council also welcomed the results of the tripartite meeting of the Syrian, Jordanian, and Turkish Ministers of Transport, held on April 7, 2026, during which a tripartite memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of transport among the three countries was signed, and stressed the importance of implementing its provisions.
The Council agreed to implement a comprehensive joint development plan for the Nassib/Jaber border crossing, aimed at making the crossing a model border crossing with international standards.
In the area of water, the Council welcomed the reactivation of the Joint Water Committee, which has convened twice, most recently in Damascus on August 4, 2025, and emphasized the importance of implementing the Committee's outcomes and ensuring the equitable distribution of water resources between the two brotherly countries. The Council also stressed the importance of holding the Joint Committee meetings this month to discuss mechanisms for sustaining water flow in the Yarmouk Basin following recent rainfall, activating the digital collaboration platform and exchanging data via the designated link, and developing the Yarmouk Basin and the joint rainmaking project.
In the energy sector, the Council welcomed the signing of the natural gas supply agreement between the two sides on January 26, 2026, and agreed on a mechanism to resume natural gas supplies to Syria within two days of the session's conclusion. The Council also reviewed the progress of repairs to the electrical interconnection line within Syrian territory and discussed the possibility of supplying the Syrian Arab Republic with electricity from the Jordanian grid, according to its needs.
The Council reviewed cooperation in the field of digital economy and information technology, including tripartite Syrian-Jordanian-Saudi cooperation regarding regional connectivity between them.
During its current session, the Council discussed several memoranda of understanding, agreements, and executive programs that open avenues for cooperation between various ministries in the two brotherly countries. The discussions resulted in the signing of nine memoranda of understanding and an agreement in the fields of media, development and social affairs, labor, corporate oversight, health, higher education and scientific research, religious endowments, tourism, postal services, and justice. The Council also reviewed a draft executive program for educational cooperation for the years 2026-2028, another in the field of higher education, and memoranda of understanding in the fields of youth and sports, agriculture, investment, air transport, and specialized healthcare. The relevant parties were tasked with completing the necessary procedures for their subsequent signing.
Syria expressed its appreciation for Jordan’s continued support for the Syrian government in its efforts aimed at rebuilding on the foundations that guarantee Syria’s unity, security, stability, sovereignty, territorial integrity and the safety of its citizens, and preserve the rights of all Syrians.
The Jordanian side praised the confident national steps taken by the Syrian government during the past year 2025, in the context of the path of rebuilding a safe, stable and prosperous homeland, based on justice, equality and the rule of law, in a way that preserves the rights of all Syrians, and preserves the unity, sovereignty and independence of Syria’s national decision.
The Council emphasized the necessity of halting all repeated Israeli interventions and aggressions against Syrian territory. It strongly condemned these actions as a flagrant violation of international law, an assault on Syria’s sovereignty aimed at destabilizing its security and stability, endangering the safety of its citizens, and threatening regional security and stability. It further described these attacks as a blatant breach of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement between Syria and Israel. The Council demanded the immediate withdrawal of Israel to the lines of the Disengagement Agreement and affirmed that such aggressions undermine the Syrian government’s efforts toward recovery while posing a serious threat to the security and stability of the region.
The Council underscored the importance of the full implementation of the Roadmap to end the crisis in Suwayda and achieve stability in southern Syria, which was jointly announced by Syria, Jordan, and the United States of America. It welcomed the broad endorsement and adoption of this Roadmap by numerous international and regional countries and organizations. The Council also affirmed the continued joint efforts of both countries in their firm and categorical rejection of any divisive or separatist schemes.
The Council discussed the latest developments on the regional and international scenes, stressing the importance of strengthening security and stability in the region, supporting efforts aimed at de-escalating regional tensions, and confronting common challenges.
The Council warned against the dangerous escalation and the unilateral and illegitimate Israeli measures in the occupied West Bank. It stressed the need to immediately cease all actions that undermine the two-state solution and push toward further tension and conflict. It also cautioned against exploiting the situation in the region as a pretext to impose a new reality on the occupied Palestinian territory.
The Council affirmed the importance of the historical Hashemite Custodianship over the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, which is exercised by His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, in safeguarding their Arab, Islamic, and Christian identity and preserving the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem and its holy sites. The Council further emphasized that the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque / Al-Haram Al-Sharif, with its entire area of 144 dunums, is a place of worship exclusively for Muslims. It affirmed that the Jerusalem Waqf and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, affiliated with the Jordanian Ministry of Awqaf, Islamic Affairs and Holy Sites, is the sole legitimate authority responsible for managing all affairs of Al-Haram Al-Sharif and regulating access to it.
The Council condemned the Israeli aggression against the sisterly Lebanese Republic, stressing the need for its immediate cessation. It expressed support for the efforts of the Lebanese government to extend its sovereignty over all its territory, activate its state institutions, and confine arms exclusively to the hands of the state.
The Council welcomed the ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, and emphasized that the ensuing negotiations must lead to a comprehensive and lasting de-escalation based on principles that respect international law, the sovereignty of states, freedom of navigation, and address all root causes of tension over past decades in a manner that enhances security and stability in the region.
In conclusion, the Council affirmed the absolute solidarity between the two countries in confronting common challenges, their support for efforts to safeguard Arab national security, and the importance of strengthening joint Arab action. It also expressed support for initiatives that contribute to achieving security, stability, and development in the region. The Council agreed to hold its next session in Damascus at a date to be determined later.
