Jordanian and Palestinian officials have signed an agreement establishing the framework for cooperation in economics, transportation, communications, culture and security.
The two sides, meeting in Amman last week, also agreed that the Jordanian dinar would serve as the official legal tender in the Gaza Strip and West Bank Jericho enclave, both of which became Palestinian autonomous zones last May.
Jordanian Prime Minister Zeid Bin Shaker and Palestine Liberation Organization Chairman Yasser Arafat signed the document on Jan. 26, in the presence of King Hussien and Crown Prince Hassan.
The occasion marked Arafat’s first meeting with King Hussein since the signing of the historic Israeli-Jordanian peace treaty in October.
The treaty had strained relations between the two Arab leaders because of an ongoing dispute over who would control Islamic holy sites in eastern Jerusalem.
The official Jordanian news agency reported last week that the two sides had agreed that Jordan would continue to maintain custodianship over the Jerusalem holy sites, but would back what was called future Palestinian sovereignty in eastern Jerusalem.
Israel and the Palestinians are not slated to begin negotiating the status of Jerusalem until next year.
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