Prime Minister Bishr Khasawneh on Thursday met with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati to discuss ties and means to boost cooperation in various fields.
Expanded talks, which were attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi, Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Engineer Maha Ali, Minister of State for Prime Ministry Affairs, Ibrahim Jazi, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Hala Zawati and Jordan’s Ambassador to Beirut, Walid al-Hadid, focused on means to enhance cooperation in the field of energy, in addition to expediting the supply of Egyptian natural gas to Lebanon through Jordan and Syria.
Khasawneh underlined Jordan’s support, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, for Lebanon to overcome ongoing challenges, especially in the economic and energy fields. He pointed to His Majesty’s recent speech to the United Nations General Assembly, stressing the need to support Lebanon through the current circumstances.
The Prime Minister pointed to the historical and deep-rooted relations that bind the two countries and peoples, highlighting Jordan’s commitment to enhancing joint cooperation in all fields. He noted that Jordan, Egypt and Syria have stepped forward to expedite the supply of Egyptian natural gas to Lebanon through Jordanian and Syrian territories. Jordan, he added, is also willing to export electricity to Lebanon.
Khasawneh and Mikati agreed that work teams from the two countries will discuss steps and executive mechanisms to increase cooperation in the fields of trade exchange, agriculture and energy. The two officials also looked into the possibility of Jordan providing Lebanon with a part of its pharmaceutical needs and facilitating the process of registering some types of medicines in the Lebanese market.
The two officials agreed to hold meetings between the Jordanian-Lebanese joint higher committee in the coming period, pointing to a number of agreements and memoranda of understanding that need to be ratified by the committee.
Amman and Beirut discussed the regional situation and the repercussions of Syrian refugees on the two countries, the largest Syrian refugee-hosting countries, amid a decline in international support.
Khasawneh underscored that the region’s interest lies in a secure and stable Lebanon as an active member in the area.
For his part, the Lebanese Prime Minister lauded the Kingdom’s supportive positions of Lebanon during various challenges under the leadership of King Abdullah.
Mikati pointed out that a 2005 decision to cancel entry visas to both countries has promoted integration and rapprochement between the two countries and peoples.
In joint press statements following the expanded talks, Khasawneh said that Lebanese affairs are of importance to Jordan, which is committed to supporting Lebanon and its stability. The Kingdom, he underlined, will not hold back any of its capabilities to address Lebanon’s needs, pointing out that the expanded talks tackled expediting the supply of Egyptian natural gas through Jordanian and Syrian territories to resolve a part of Lebanon’s energy challenges, as well as un-ratified bilateral agreements.
The main objective of the visit is to affirm Amman’s solidarity with Beirut under the directives of His Majesty King Abdullah II, the premier said, noting that the details of economic cooperation will not be discussed during this visit.
His Majesty’s speech at the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly underscored commitment to supporting Lebanon, Khasawneh said, pointing out that the Lebanese needs related to its security and stability are at the forefront of King Abdullah’s and the Cabinet’s interactions at the international level.
Responding to a question, the Prime Minister stressed that Jordan’s relations with Arab countries are strategic and friendly and governed by respect for autonomy. The Kingdom’s international and regional actions are governed by its commitments to international law and the Charter of the United Nations and its obligations, in addition to the Charter of the Arab League.
On securing Lebanon’s needs, Khasawneh said: “We are committed to coordinating with all parties and countries that can help secure them, within the framework of what we see as an international commitment to support these needs, within the existing international regulations to benefit the Lebanese people first and foremost.”
The Lebanese Prime Minister said that the visit of Khasawneh and the ministers reflects the ties that bind Jordan and Lebanon, and is an extension of the historical relationship that unites the two countries’ leadership, people and government.
Mikati indicated that His Majesty King Abdullah II continues to pursue the same policy followed by His Majesty the late King Hussein bin Talal, who was supportive of Lebanon during the circumstances and challenges it has experienced.
The expanded talks, Mikati indicated, tackled the transfer of Egyptian gas and exporting electricity to Lebanon, noting that bilateral ministerial meetings will be held during the coming period to discuss the technical aspects in this regard.
Source: Jordan News Agency