Jordan, Egypt sign deals as higher committee convenes

AMMAN— Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh and his Egyptian counterpart Mostafa Madbouly on Tuesday co-chaired the 29th session of the joint Jordanian-Egyptian Higher Committee.اضافة اعلان

The delegations discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in several areas, including trade exchange, electrical grid integration, oil and gas, procedures for the entry of Jordanian medicines into the Egyptian market, and agricultural exchange.

The Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported that, when speaking to reporters after the meeting, Khasawneh announced that memoranda of understanding and action programs had been signed in the areas of company control, water, planning, antiquities, housing and urban development, electrical grid integration, and ICT.

After welcoming the Egyptian premier and the accompanying delegation, Khasawneh described the committee as the "most regular and productive" committee, and that its work reflects positively on bilateral ties. Both Khasawneh and Madbouly emphasized the deep-rooted Jordanian-Egyptian relations, adding that the two countries see eye-to-eye on various issues, foremost of which is the Palestinian issue and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along pre-1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital. Khasawneh voiced the Kingdom’s appreciation of Egypt’s stances and support for the historical Hashemite custodianship over Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.

The premier stressed that Jordan will always support Egypt’s national security, which, he said, is part of the pan-Arab and Jordanian national security systems. He referred to the trilateral coordination between Jordan, Egypt, and Iraq and said it prepares the ground for further economic integration, especially in the field of energy. His Egyptian counterpart added that there are plans between the three nations to double their trade exchange as soon as the coronavirus pandemic comes to an end.

Speaking on the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic, Khasawneh said the health crisis has led to structural changes in the global economy, and shipping and transit movement.

Madbouly, for his part, affirmed that the joint Jordanian-Egyptian Higher Committee is one of the most successful bilateral committees, stressing that his country is keen to see the committee's meetings held regularly. The Egyptian prime minister stressed the need to overcome the effects and challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and restore trade exchange back to normal. He also voiced his thanks and appreciation for the care and attention that Egyptian workers enjoy in Jordan.