UPDATE - Top Jordanian, Syrian diplomats discuss preparations for 3rd coordination council session

UPDATES WITH DETAILS ON COORDINATION COUNCIL; REVISES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE

By Laith al-Junaidi, Ikram Kouachi, and Omar Alothmani

AMMAN, Jordan/ISTANBUL (AA) - Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and his Syrian counterpart Asaad al-Shaibani discussed preparations for the third session of the Jordan-Syria Higher Coordination Council, scheduled to be held in Damascus next month, the Syrian Foreign Ministry said Thursday.

During a meeting in the southern Jordanian city of Aqaba, the two ministers reviewed bilateral relations and ways to develop them across various fields, according to a statement by the Syrian Foreign Ministry.

They also discussed developments in Syria and the region and their implications for both countries, stressing the importance of continued coordination and consultation to serve the interests of their peoples and enhance regional security and stability, the statement said.

Earlier Thursday, Shaibani arrived at King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba, where he was received by Safadi, Syria’s official SANA news agency reported.

The visit aims to “strengthen bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries and discuss common issues of mutual interest,” the agency said.

The visit follows a phone call between Safadi and Shaibani on Oct. 13, during which they discussed bilateral relations and regional developments and agreed to hold a meeting soon to continue their discussions, according to SANA.

During the call, Safadi affirmed Jordan’s support for Syria’s security, sovereignty, and reconstruction efforts, while the two ministers condemned Israeli attacks on Syrian territory.

On Sept. 24, Damascus hosted a coordination meeting of officials from the two countries to follow up on joint projects in the energy, transport, trade, communications, agriculture, and water sectors.

Earlier, Safadi visited Damascus on Sept. 9, where he met Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and discussed with Shaibani ways to strengthen cooperation and follow up on the implementation of the outcomes of the second session of the Jordan-Syria Higher Coordination Council.

The council’s second session was held in Amman on April 12, with the participation of two ministerial delegations representing 20 sectors, to discuss deepening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation.

Ikrame Imane Kouachi