Syria and Jordan have agreed to deepen their relationship and advance cooperation across a broad range of economic and security issues following high-level talks in Damascus, as the neighboring countries seek to institutionalize their growing post-Assad rapprochement.
Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the People’s Palace on Wednesday before holding extensive discussions with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani.
The meetings focused on bilateral relations, regional security and preparations for another round of high-level economic coordination between the two governments.
Jordan said the two sides were preparing for the next meeting of the Syrian-Jordanian Higher Coordination Council in Damascus in October, with practical cooperation expected to cover trade, investment, transport, customs, water and energy.
Safadi conveyed King Abdullah II’s support for Syria’s reconstruction, sovereignty and long-term stability, while al-Sharaa expressed Damascus’ intention to deepen strategic relations with Amman and expand economic cooperation.
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The emphasis on implementing joint projects gives the talks greater significance than a routine diplomatic visit, particularly given the economic and security interests shared by the two countries along their extensive border.
Regional security featured prominently in the discussions. Safadi and al-Shaibani reviewed the Jordanian-Syrian-US roadmap aimed at stabilizing southern Syria and addressing the situation in Sweida while maintaining Syrian sovereignty.
Jordan also welcomed the dissolution of the Syrian Democratic Forces and their integration into Syrian national military institutions, describing the development as an important step toward restoring state authority and territorial unity.
Both governments condemned Israeli incursions into Syrian territory, arguing that continued operations violate international law and the 1974 Disengagement Agreement. They also condemned recent Iranian missile attacks against Jordan and other Arab countries.
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The talks highlight Jordan’s increasingly important role in Syria’s regional reintegration. Amman has direct interests in Syrian stability ranging from border security and narcotics trafficking to refugees, water, trade and transportation links.
For Damascus, closer relations with Jordan provide an important economic connection to the Gulf and a diplomatic bridge to Western and Arab partners.
The planned October coordination meeting will therefore be an important measure of whether the current political rapprochement can translate into functioning cross-border projects.
If agreements on trade, transport, water and energy advance as planned, Jordan could emerge as one of the most consequential partners in Syria’s reconstruction and wider reintegration into the Arab regional system.
Anoush Taimur is an International Relations graduate from DHA Suffa University, Karachi, currently based in Doha. Her research interests include Gulf politics, small-state diplomacy, Global South studies and conflict
mediation. Her work examines how states create influence through connectivity, institutions and strategic relationships. She can be reached at [email protected]
