Jordan Times
Monday, November 19, 2007
Jordan, Syria issue
joint statement
AMMAN (JT) - Following is the official translation of the Jordan-Syria joint
communiqué issued on Sunday following the summit meeting between His Majesty
King Abdullah and Syrian President Bashar Assad:
“His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein and his brother His Excellency
President Bashar Al Assad, president of the Syrian Arab Republic, held a summit
meeting today in the Syrian capital Damascus.
The summit came as part of both leaders’ determination to strengthen and deepen
cooperation between the two brotherly countries in all fields, and to reach
practical and concrete solutions to various key bilateral issues. Moreover, both
countries have an important role in strengthening Arab cooperation and
protecting higher Arab interests in the face of regional challenges.
Bilateral issues of significance to both countries were also discussed during
the summit meeting and agreement was reached on serious and effective solutions,
especially on issues related to economic cooperation, water, borders, detainees
and security.
Both leaders emphasised the importance of strengthening economic relations
between the two countries and facilitating trade exchange while underscoring the
importance of increasing bilateral trade towards higher levels. In this respect,
several agreements have been marked for signature including an agreement to
provide Jordan with its need of wheat from brotherly Syria to be concluded
during the next meeting of the Joint Jordanian-Syrian Higher Committee.
It has also been agreed to expedite the implementation of agreements signed
between the two countries, especially with regards to both countries’ shares in
the Yarmouk River basin water.
On the issue of border delineation between the two countries, the two leaders
agreed that the technical committees commence their work immediately to
delineate the border and to continue their work in a serious and expeditious
manner within a specific programme and timeline.
Determined to strengthen the basis for security and stability in both countries,
it was agreed that joint security committees immediately start addressing all
pending security issues, and particularly those related to facilitating the flow
of people between the two countries, border security and combating smuggling.
Both leaders issued their directives to their respective governments to convene
a meeting of the Joint Jordanian-Syrian Higher Committee in the Jordanian
capital, Amman, before the end of the year with the aim of signing bilateral
agreements discussed, and to translate these agreements into programmes and
actions with specific timelines.
Determined to prejudice Arab interests in dealing with current challenges, both
leaders expressed their commitment to work and coordinate with Arab leaders to
establish a unified Arab position on Arab and regional issues in isolation of
external interference, and on bases that safeguard higher Arab interests and the
interests of both countries in confronting political and security challenges as
well as radicalism and terrorism.
The two leaders expressed their keenness to intensify cooperation and
coordination with Arab leaders to ensure the success of the Arab League summit
that will be held in the Syrian capital, Damascus, in 2008.
Both leaders stressed the importance of reaching a just and comprehensive
solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict on the basis of the Arab Peace Initiative
and international resolutions that provide for the return of all occupied
Palestinian, Syrian and Lebanese lands.
The two leaders expressed commitment to support Arab, Palestinian and
international efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state on
Palestinian soil with Jerusalem as its capital, within the framework of the
peace process and the two-state solution.
Both leaders emphasised their full support for the Palestinian National
Authority in its efforts to establish the Palestinian state and build its
institutions; calling upon the Palestinian people to overcome their differences
and unify their positions in order to protect the future of the Palestinian
cause and the interests of the Palestinian people.
The two leaders also discussed the situation in Lebanon underlining their full
respect to the sovereignty of Lebanon and denouncing all assassinations
committed against the Lebanese people. Both leaders also rejected all foreign
interference in Lebanon’s internal affairs.
The two leaders underscored the need for Lebanon to reach consensus on the
presidential election within the constitution and in a manner that would
guarantee Lebanon’s stability and preserve its national interests.
Both leaders stressed the importance of the positive role that Syria can play to
ensure Lebanon’s stability and security and build normal relations between
Beirut and Damascus based on mutual respect that would serve the interests of
both countries and their stability.
With regards to Iraq, His Majesty King Abdullah II and His Excellency President
Bashar Al Assad stressed the importance of the Arab role in supporting Iraq’s
unity, sovereignty and stability. Both leaders emphasised that solutions
concerning the Iraqi problem should primarily come from within Iraq and in such
a way that would fulfill the hopes and aspirations of the Iraqi people, and in
isolation of any external influence that does not serve Iraqi interests.
Both leaders agreed to intensify their countries’ efforts to support
comprehensive national reconciliation in Iraq and to contribute to the success
of the political process and reject all forms of sectarianism, violence and
terrorism.
Both leaders reiterated their determination to strengthen coordination and
consultation among Arab states to develop a unified Arab position in dealing
with regional and international challenges. The two leaders stressed that
dealing with these challenges requires major efforts by Arab leaderships to
unify their positions, overcome their differences and agree on the future course
of the Arab world, to ensure that the Arabs decide their own future and destiny.
Both leaders agreed to continue consultation and coordination between the two
countries at various levels in order to ensure implementation of all agreed upon
bilateral issues. They also agreed to maintain regular consultation and
coordination on Arab and regional issues as part of their determination to
ensure united Arab ranks and position.”