PM, Palestinian counterpart sign 9 MoUs, programmes to enhance cooperation

AMMAN — Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Bisher Al Khasawneh and his Palestinian counterpart Mohammad Shtayyeh in Ramallah on Thursday chaired the meetings of the sixth session of the Jordanian-Palestinian Joint Higher Committee, which resulted in signing nine memoranda of understanding and executive programmes.

The agreements included a memorandum of understanding in the social development field, an executive programme for cultural cooperation between the governments for the years 2022-2025, and an executive programme for educational cooperation for the years 2022-2024, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Both countries also signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of free zones, a memo on electronic connection between the sides, an executive programme of the cooperation protocol between the Ministry of Youth and the Palestinian Supreme Council for Youth and Sports in the youth field, and a cooperation programme between the Jordan News Agency, Petra, and the Palestinian News Agency (WAFA).

They also signed an executive programme for activating the technical cooperation protocol between the Ministry of Investment in Jordan and the Palestinian Investment Promotion Agency, and an executive programme for the memorandum of understanding for the mutual recognition of certificates of conformity and quality marks.

During the meeting, the two premiers stressed the "deep-rooted, brotherly" relations, which His Majesty King Abdullah and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are keen to develop. 

The two premiers also affirmed the keenness of the Jordanian and Palestinian governments to enhance cooperation prospects in all economic and trade fields.

The two premiers also referred to the need for joint action to remove obstacles on the Jordanian-Palestine bridges, to facilitate movement of people and goods, adding that the volume of trade exchange is still below ambitions and available capabilities.

Khasawneh stressed the centrality of the Palestinian cause and Jordan's support for the Palestinian people and their leadership.

The prime minister stressed that this support seeks to establish an independent Palestinian state with full sovereignty on the June 4, 1967 lines, with Jerusalem as its capital, and within the framework of the two-state solution supported by the majority of the world's countries.

Shtayyeh praised Jordan’s stances, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah, in supporting the Palestinian cause and caring for holy sites in Jerusalem. 

Later, Khasawneh and Shtayyeh signed the meeting minutes of the sixth session.