Egypt, Jordan sign seven cooperative agreements

CAIRO: Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and his Jordanian counterpart Bisher Al-Khasawneh signed seven agreements to enhance cooperation between the two countries in various fields during the 29th session of the Egyptian-Jordanian Higher Committee on Tuesday.

The MoUs cover cooperation between the Egyptian Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy and the Jordanian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources; an executive exchange program between the Egyptian Ministry of International Cooperation and the Jordanian Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation; water resources; antiquities; corporate control; and communication and information technology.

Madbouly said it had been one of the most important meetings ever held between the two countries and came as a result of the “strong ties binding the peoples and governments of both countries, as well as the strong relations between Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah.”

Madbouly cited the two countries’ close coordination over the COVID-19 pandemic as an example of those strong ties. He noted that the situation in both countries is, so far, much better than in many developed countries which have more stable health systems and resources.

Meanwhile, officials from the two countries also discussed the Ethiopian dam issue and the Palestinian crisis. Amman expressed support for Cairo over the Nile Dam issue.

In a joint press conference, Al-Khasawneh said, “Egypt’s national security is part and parcel of Jordan’s national security.” Madbouly hailed Jordan’s support for his country. “We always seek to enhance relations with Jordan. We plan to double trade exchange between the two countries,” he said.

Al-Khasawneh stressed that the two countries take a similar stance on the Palestinian issue. “We hold on to the two-state solution,” Madbouly said.