Amman, April 7 (Petra) – Transport ministers of Jordan, Syria and Turkey signed a trilateral memorandum of understanding on Tuesday to strengthen cooperation and integration in the transport sector.
The agreement was signed during the Joint Ministerial Committee for Transport Cooperation meeting in Amman with the participation of public and private sector representatives and transport and logistics experts.
Discussions focused on key challenges and opportunities facing the sector, with notable engagement from private sector stakeholders.
The memo aims to establish an integrated regional transport system that facilitates the movement of people and goods, enhances supply chain efficiency and reinforces the region's role as a logistics hub connecting regional and global markets thereby boosting its competitiveness in international trade.
Jordan’s Minister of Transport, Nidal Qatamin, said the agreement is a qualitative leap toward building an advanced, integrated transport model supported by efficient and flexible supply chains capable of adapting to geopolitical changes.
Qatamin said that Jordan places the transport and logistics sector at the core of its economic modernisation vision and discussed efforts to develop multimodal transport, establish logistics hubs, modernise border crossings, adopt digital solutions and strengthen public-private partnerships.
Syrian Minister of Transport Ya'rub Badr said that the meeting reflects a shared commitment to achieving genuine economic and logistical integration.
Badr said the memo is a "strategic milestone" toward developing a practical roadmap for cooperation, centred on executable projects such as enhancing rail connectivity, facilitating transit and harmonising procedures to serve regional interests and strengthen the region's position as a bridge between East and West.
Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu called for developing all modes of transport and improving connectivity between the region and Saudi Arabia, as well as other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states.
Uraloğlu added that such efforts would enhance integration between Asia and Europe. He called for strengthening land, rail and maritime transport infrastructure and discussed the strategic role of the Port of Aqaba in supporting regional trade.
The memorandum establishes an institutional and technical framework for cooperation, including the formation of joint committees and working groups, as well as the development of unified sectoral plans.
It aims to translate cooperation into actionable projects supported by digitalisation and investment through streamlined systems, smart solutions, performance monitoring and capacity building to ensure sustainability.
It prioritises enhancing regional rail connectivity through a dedicated tripartite technical committee tasked with overseeing implementation.
Additional areas of focus include the development of land, sea and rail transport, infrastructure improvements, facilitation of passenger and cargo movement and simplification of border procedures.
The measures are expected to improve supply chain efficiency, boost trade and support transit among the three countries.
The ministerial meeting follows a series of joint technical committee discussions that laid the groundwork for the agreement.
The efforts culminated in the signing of the memorandum and the establishment of a practical framework for cooperation aimed at improving transport network efficiency, modernising infrastructure, enhancing logistics services, reducing transit times, attracting investment and supporting sustainable development across the region. //Petra// AK
