STORY: Syrian interim FM pledges support for Jordan's anti-drug efforts
SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 7, 2025
DATELINE: Jan. 8, 2025
LENGTH: 00:01:37
LOCATION: Amman   
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of meeting and press conference
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): ASAAD HASSAN AL-SHIBANI, Syria's interim Foreign Minister
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): AYMAN SAFADI, Jordanian Foreign Minister    

STORYLINE:

Syria's interim Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani visited Jordan on Tuesday to discuss security and economic cooperation, marking a shift in bilateral relations following Damascus's recent change in leadership.

Al-Shibani and his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi agreed to establish a joint committee focusing on security, energy, and other areas of mutual interest, Jordan's state-owned broadcaster Al Mamlaka TV reported.

During the talks in Amman, al-Shibani pledged that Syria would support Jordan's efforts to combat drug trafficking, particularly the flow of captagon pills across their shared border.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): ASAAD HASSAN AL-SHIBANI, Syria's interim Foreign Minister 
"The new situation in Syria has also ended the threats that previously threatened the security of the Kingdom, with regard to drugs and captagon, and we pledge that this thing has ended and will not return again. We are ready to cooperate intensively in this field." 
"The stability of Syria means stability for Jordan, and Syria's security positively impacts Jordan," Safadi told reporters, adding that Jordan was prepared to begin immediate electricity supplies to Syria.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): AYMAN SAFADI, Jordanian Foreign Minister  
"We discussed the issue of border security, specifically the danger of drug and weapons smuggling, as well as the danger of ISIS re-establishing or attempting to rebuild its presence. We absolutely agree that we are united and will work together and coordinate to confront these common challenges."

Al-Shibani, representing Syria's interim administration, emphasized his government's commitment to working with regional and international partners to ensure Syria's stability and territorial integrity.

The Syrian minister expressed gratitude for Jordan's hosting of Syrian refugees and called for enhanced bilateral cooperation in reconstruction, investment, and water security.

"This marks the beginning of a new chapter in Jordanian-Syrian relations," al-Shibani said.

The high-level meeting follows Syria's recent government transition and signals potential warming ties between the neighboring countries.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Amman.
(XHTV)