ЦНАИ ИВ РАН / CSAI IOS RAS

Syria, Jordan deepen ties 🟢On June 14, the foreign ministers of Syria and Jordan met in Damascus to discuss the development of bilateral relations, situation in the region, and ways to bolster regional security. The negotiations centered on monitoring the implementation of decisions reached at the second meeting of the Syrian-Jordanian Higher Coordination Council in Amman on April 12, 2026. 🟢The Syrian delegation acknowledged Jordan's removal of import restrictions from Syria and its introduction of a new trade mechanism in May 2026. Trade turnover between Syria and Jordan reached $471 million in 2025, tripling compared to 2024. In January 2026, Jordanian exports to Syria increased by 47.4%, reaching $39 million. 🟢Jordan's re-exports to Syria grew significantly, surging from $151 million in 2023 to $518 million in 2025, an increase of nearly 250%. Key export products included vegetables, cement, and automobiles ($113 million in 2025). This growth reflects strong demand for imported goods in Syria after years of restrictions and the gradual recovery of Syrian markets. 🟢Meanwhile, Syrian exports to Jordan increased by 77% between 2023 and 2025, reaching $117 million. This growth was largely driven by Syria's resumption of sheep and goat exports in March 2025. 🟢During the talks, both sides emphasized the need to intensify diplomatic efforts to resolve regional crises based on international law and the principles of good-neighborly relations. Particular attention was given to the crisis in the Suwayda Governorate and to efforts to stabilize southern Syria. Both parties expressed their firm opposition to any forms of separatism. 🟢The two countries condemned the Israeli incursion into southern Syria as a violation of international law and Syrian sovereignty. They stated that these actions undermine regional security and stability, as well as the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, and called for the immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces. 🟢The delegations also discussed the outcomes of the Water Resources Committee meetings, emphasizing the importance of implementing its recommendations for equitable water management. They welcomed the creation of a Syrian-Jordanian water resources platform and research initiatives to improve conditions in the Yarmouk River basin. The basin provides up to 40% of Jordan's surface water resources and is essential for irrigating 70% of the Jordan Valley's agricultural crops. 🟢Jordan's National Water Strategy for 2026 aims to secure 1.1 billion cubic meters of water from various sources. This approach includes the Aqaba desalination project, expected to provide over 300 million cubic meters of drinking water to Amman and Aqaba residents; the Disi Aquifer Project; and importing drinking water from neighboring countries, including 200 million cubic meters from Israel under the 2021 Jordanian-Israeli-Emirati trilateral agreement. 🟢The Yarmouk River basin issue is also highly relevant to Damascus because Tel Aviv's control over the area gives it influence over the flow of drinking water to southern Syria, creating a potential threat to the country's water security. 🟢The parties signed an air services agreement. The document updates the 1976 accord and establishes a system of technical and navigational coordination between air traffic control centers in Damascus and Amman. 🟢The ministerial meeting in Damascus further strengthened Syrian-Jordanian cooperation. Both countries are strongly interested in an economic partnership. For Jordan, the border with Syria serves as a route for exports to Europe and Turkey. For Syria, the border is a transit corridor for goods destined for the Persian Gulf states. Over the next three to four years, the two countries plan to integrate their power grids and construct a railway. These projects are expected to receive support from Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the two countries are addressing issues related to the allocation and management of water resources. #CSAI #MENA