Israel to increase water supply to Jordan by Layla Mashkoor
The two countries reached agreements on water and trade on Thursday
Israel and Jordan reached agreements on water supply and trade during a meeting between Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and his Israeli counterpart Yair Lapid on Thursday.
Tel Aviv has agreed to increase its water supply to Jordan, promising up to 50 cubic metres of water to be delivered this year, Mr Lapid said on Thursday.
The meeting at the King Hussein Bridge between Jordan and the West Bank was the first high-level talks Jordan has held with Israel’s new government.
The talks come after years of limited diplomatic contact due to strained relations between Jordan and former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
An agreement reached on trade will raise the ceiling on Jordanian exports to the West Bank from $160 million annually to around $700m, including $470m to be put towards “products that meet Palestinian standards ».
The two ministers also discussed transport and energy issues. The terms of the agreements will be finalised in the coming days.
“The kingdom of Jordan is a neighbour and important partner to the state of Israel,” said Mr Lapid. READ MORE
