Jordan signs 21 agreements with Lebanon, pledges 'continued support'

BEIRUT — Jordanian Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan arrived in Beirut on Wednesday to take part in the eighth session of the Lebanese-Jordanian Higher Joint Commission, which was held at the Grand Serail in the presence of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and resulted in the signing of 21 agreements and memorandums of understanding.

Jordan "will continue to support Lebanon," Hassan affirmed during a press conference. "We are going to develop our relations, and the coming period will see increased institutional cooperation."

The agreements signed between the two countries cover a range of sectors and involve at least 14 ministries from both countries, Hassan told reporters, adding that Jordan is seeking to "double" its trade with Lebanon "in the coming months."

"We salute the efforts of the Lebanese government, which is acting despite the many challenges the country faces," he said.

The signing of these agreements was announced as early as Tuesday by Economy Minister Amer Bisat, during a commission meeting attended by Jordanian Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply Ya’roub al-Qoudah.

The agreements concern industrial cooperation, consumer protection, sharing tax expertise, investment promotion and protection, coordination between Jordanian and Lebanese social security funds, digital transformation and information technology, civil service and civil defense, as well as electricity, natural gas, renewable energy, environment, tourism, media, infrastructure (roads, bridges, buildings), housing, public procurement, and railway transportation.