Amman, Feb. 12 (Petra) -- Transport Minister Nidal Qatamin met with his Syrian counterpart Yarub Badr on the sidelines of the 2nd Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Ministerial Conference on Transport in Istanbul to coordinate on emerging disruptions affecting cross-border truck movement and to identify measures to improve the fluidity of overland transport.

According to a ministry statement issued Thursday, the two ministers said direct, point-to-point transport to the final destination is a cornerstone of trade and logistics systems, citing lower operating costs, faster delivery times, and more efficient supply chains.

They stressed the need to intensify joint efforts to develop practical solutions in light of current conditions at the Jaber and Nasib border crossings, enabling a return to direct transport and helping reactivate freight traffic and restore normal flow between the two countries.

The two sides agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation across transport sectors and enhance technical and administrative coordination mechanisms to support trade flows and upgrade logistics services.

On rail, the ministers underscored the urgency of advancing joint rail-connection projects as a strategic priority for both freight and passenger transport. They also discussed a broader rail linkage corridor between Turkey and the Gulf states via Syria and Jordan, and examined the feasibility of leveraging the Hijaz Railway for cargo transport as a supplementary option to support regional logistics.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to maintain ongoing contact and technical-level coordination toward sustainable, integration-enhancing solutions.

//Petra// AO