Jordanian - Syrian relations to witness important developments

The Jordanian weekly al-Hadath has said that well-informed sources in Amman expected Jordanian - Syrian relations to witness important developments within the few coming days.

The weekly noted the possibility of resuming the activity of the joint higher committee, chaired by the two states' premiers, in order to study prospects of water and economic cooperation through reviving the al-Wahdah dam agreement on investing the waters of al-Yarmouk river as well as to review main obstacles impeding the work progress in joint companies and establishments, especially the Jordanian-Syrian free zone in Daraa, the Syrian-Jordanian company for land transport and the factories held jointly between the two states for ceramics and carpets.

The paper quoted Syrian sources as asserting that the Syrian leadership, for its part, shows a great desire to make a qualitative turning point in the progress of relations with Jordan and to return to a policy of coordination and integration to achieve common interests.

It added that what is of utmost importance to the Syrians in this respect is the response of Jordan to the Syrian initiative aimed at restoring "warmth" to relations between the two states.

The Jordanian weekly added that, "The Syrians see a new era in Jordan that should be dealt with a sort of calmness and positively, away from proclaiming provocative statements at a time when Jordan is being exposed to great pressures from the Israeli side in order to isolate it away from getting mingled in the Arab issues."

The weekly continued that according to what had been proposed by Syrian circles concerned, "The task of Syria and the Arab states, especially Egypt and the Gulf states, foremost Saudi Arabia, is to contain these Israeli pressures and restore Jordan to carrying out its earlier role within the context of its Arab orbit."

Al-Hadath quoted these Syrian political circles as saying that the "Syrian - Jordanian closeness will make Israel lose the chance to maneuver and dismember the Arab states."

The weekly added that the visit made by son of the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, to Jordan just 72 hours before Netanyahu's visit came to crown the future of relations between "the two sisterly countries."

The political circles considered the 90-minute meeting between King Abdullah and Bashar al-Assad as a Syrian decision to be always present beside Jordan under the new era.