Jordan and Syria held their first technical talks on opening a major border crossing in southern Syria that was recaptured from the opposition last July, a Jordanian official source said Thursday.
Damascus, which took back the crossing from the opposition, hopes to reopen the Nassib route vital to its hopes of reviving Syria's shattered economy and rebuilding in territory under its control.
Amman also hopes the opening of the border crossing will reactivate billions of dollars of annual transit trade between Europe and Gulf markets across Syria.
The source told Reuters the meeting that was requested by Syria was held Wednesday at the Jaber crossing, on the Jordanian side of the border, where technical teams began talks on the practical arrangements from customs to security needed to reopen the crossing.
"The meetings will continue to put a complete view of all the arrangements linked to reopening the crossings in the coming period," the source said.
Jordan's private sector is also hoping for a revival in bilateral trade with a major neighboring market where Jordanian businesses have long-standing ties.
The Daily Star
13/09/2018
