AMMAN/ISTANBUL

The foreign ministers of Jordan and Syria discussed bilateral cooperation between the two neighbors on Monday ahead of a donor conference in Brussels.

A Jordanian Foreign Ministry said discussions between Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and his Syrian counterpart Asaad Al-Shaibani took up the latest developments in Syria.

Safadi affirmed Jordan’s “support for Syria’s reconstruction on foundations that preserve its security, territorial integrity, and the rights of the Syrian people,” the statement said.

The top diplomats explored ways to enhance cooperation in various sectors, including energy, trade, transportation, security, and other fields, the ministry said.

Shaibani arrived in Brussels early Monday to attend the European Union’s 9th International Conference in support of Syria.

Since 2017, the EU has held an annual donor conference in support of Syria, during which the bloc offers grants and aid to war-devastated Syria and to countries hosting Syrian refugees.

Bashar al-Assad, Syria's leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia after anti-regime groups took control of Damascus on Dec. 8, ending the Baath Party's regime, which had been in power since 1963.

Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led anti-regime forces to oust Assad, was declared president for a transitional period in late January.