jordan pulse -

Transport ministers of Jordan, Turkiye, and Syria visited the Jordan-Hejaz Railway Corporation (JHR) on Tuesday, signaling a strengthening of regional cooperation and the restoration of historical trade routes linking the Middle East to Europe.

The visit by Jordan’s Nidal Katamine, Turkiyi’s Abdulkadir Uraloglu, and Syria’s Yarub Badr, focused on the strategic importance of the railway heritage and its potential to bolster modern logistical networks.

During the visit, Katamine announced that the first Jordanian cargo truck had successfully departed for Turkiye via Syrian territory. He described the move as a significant step toward normalizing commercial traffic between the three nations and a precursor to resuming full-scale trade connectivity with European markets.

"The Hejaz Railway serves as the foundation of rail transport in the kingdom," Katamine said, noting that the corporation currently operates weekly tourist trips to northern and southern regions to stimulate domestic tourism at archaeological sites along the track.

The ministerial delegation toured the corporation’s facilities, including the technical workshops where historical locomotives and carriages are maintained. They also visited the site's museums, which house artifacts from the original railway that once connected Damascus to Medina via Jordan to transport pilgrims.

Zahi Khalil, JHR Director General, highlighted the development of a new railway museum funded by the Turkish government. Khalil stated that the facility is set to be one of the first specialized rail museums in the Middle East, featuring historical blueprints, a specialized library, and advanced visual displays of steam and diesel locomotives.

The discussions underscored a shared commitment to preserving the railway's historical legacy while leveraging its infrastructure to enhance regional economic integration and revive ancient transport corridors.

//Petra// AF