Syrian-Jordanian Meeting in Amman Approves Reduction of Crossing Fees and Facilitates Land Transport Movement

The Syrian-Jordanian Joint Technical Committee for Land Transport held its meeting in the Jordanian capital, Amman, on the 25th and 26th of June, in implementation of the recommendations of the first meeting of the Higher Coordination Council between the two countries, which was held in Damascus last month.

The meeting was chaired by the Syrian side, Assistant Minister of Transport for Land Transport Affairs, Mohammad Rahal, while the Jordanian side was represented by the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Transport, Fares Abu Dayya. The two sides discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in the field of land transport and to remove obstacles to the movement of cargo and passengers.

The two sides agreed to reduce the crossing fees between the two countries to be unified at a rate of 2% instead of the previous 5% that was in effect on the Jordanian side, within the framework of applying the principle of reciprocity and facilitating commercial transport movement. They also discussed mechanisms to increase the number of passenger transport vehicles allowed to enter daily, while emphasizing the continuation of technical and administrative coordination to enhance passenger movement.

The participants emphasized the importance of facilitating the transit of trucks through the territories of both countries and working to remove any technical or procedural obstacles hindering trade exchange, in support of economic integration between Syria and Jordan.

Regarding the railway connection project, the two sides agreed to hold a technical meeting soon to study the re-operation of the Hejaz Railway line between Damascus and Amman, initially focusing on transporting goods.

Mohammad Rahal, the Syrian Assistant Minister of Transport, stressed in a statement to SANA agency that "the land transport sector constitutes a vital artery for trade and the movement of individuals between Syria and Jordan," indicating the Syrian government's keenness to enhance technical and administrative cooperation to serve the interests of both countries and their fraternal peoples.

The meeting was attended by a number of officials from the Syrian side, including Khaled Al-Barad, Deputy Head of the General Authority for Land and Maritime Border Crossings for Customs Affairs, Iyad Al-Asaad, Director of the International Cooperation Office at the Ministry of Transport, Khaled Kasheh, Director of Cargo Transport, Emad Al-Din Qash, Director of Road Transport, and Ahmed Daas, Director of Joint Companies.

This meeting comes within the framework of joint efforts to activate the roadmap approved by the Higher Coordination Council between the two countries, where land transport is a fundamental pillar to enhance trade exchange and individual movement.

It is worth mentioning that the work of the Joint Committee has resumed after years of suspension, as the Syrian government is currently working to enhance economic cooperation and remove technical and administrative obstacles to achieve the common interests of both countries.