Kingdom seeks Swedish expertise in Red-Dead project

AMMAN — Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour met with senior Swedish officials on Tuesday and discussed ways to boost the Jordanian-Swedish relations, along with the latest regional developments. 

During separate meetings with Speaker of the Swedish Parliament Urban Ahlin and Sweden’s Foreign Minister Margot Wallström, the premier outlined progress in Jordan’s drive to achieve social, economic and political reform. 

Regarding the current regional developments, especially the crisis in Syria, he re-asserted Jordan’s position in support of a political solution to end the bloodshed there.

The premier highlighted the repercussions of the crisis in Syria on Jordan and the immense pressures placed on the country as a result of the high influx of Syrian refugees into the Kingdom.   

With regard to the Palestinian issue, Ensour stressed that the Palestinian question is the region’s central issue, pointing out that unless a just and a viable solution is reached, regional stability would remain at stake. 

Ensour expressed Jordan’s appreciation of Sweden’s support of the Palestinians’ pursuit of independence.

In 2014, Sweden became the first EU member state to recognise the State of Palestine. 

The premier also underscored Jordan’s efforts led by His Majesty King Abdullah to clarify the true image of Islam as a faith of tolerance and moderation.  

Ahlin expressed his appreciation of Jordan’s efforts to achieve peace and regional stability at his meeting with Ensour.

Ensour also met with Sweden’s Minister for International Development Cooperation Isabella Lovin and discussed with her ways to boost Jordanian-Swedish cooperation in various fields.

The premier highlighted Jordan’s desire to benefit from Swedish technical expertise in the implementation of the Red Sea-Dead Sea Water Conveyance Project, in addition to the posibility of supporting other strategic projects that the Kingdom is planning to carry out in the fields of water or renewable energy. 

He underscored the government’s efforts to support and empower women and young people, highlighting HRH Crown Prince Hussein’s address at the inauguration of the Global Forum on Youth, Peace and Security in which the Crown Prince pointed out that the young are the most precious asset of nations.  

Lovin said she understood the burdens borne by Jordan as a result of the crisis in Syria and commended Jordan’s systematic approach in dealing with the Syrian refugees. 

She stressed Sweden’s interest in increasing its cooperation with Jordan and its readiness to assist it with its development projects. 

The premier, who arrived in Stockholm earlier this week to participate in World Water Week, was scheduled to attend the Stockholm Water Prize ceremony on Wednesday which will be held under the patronage of the King and Queen of Sweden.  

Celebrating its 25th year, the Stockholm Water Prize is the world’s most respected award for outstanding water achievements, according to the award’s website. 

The prize honours “individuals, organisations and institutions whose work contributes to the conservation and protection of water resources, and to the well-being of the planet and its inhabitants”.