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Spain pledges economic support to Jordan in appreciation of reforms, regional role

By JT - Sep 16,2015 - Last updated at Sep 16,2015

Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Imad Fakhoury, holds talks with Spain’s State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Ignacio Rubio in Amman on Tuesday (Photo courtesy of Planning Ministry)

AMMAN – Spain has listed financial aid to Jordan as a priority for development support extended by the European country, according to Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Imad Fakhoury. 

Although Jordan is ranked among middle-income countries that are not eligible for financing privileges, the decision by Spain, the ministry statement said, was in appreciation for the Kingdom’s role in boosting international peace and fighting terror, in addition to the ongoing process of political and economic reforms. 

The announcement of the decision was made during a meeting between Fakhoury and Spain’s State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Ignacio Rubio and the accompanying delegation. 

Fakhoury briefed the Spanish officials on the challenges facing Jordan due to regional instability and the influx of Syrian refugees, adding that hosting around 1.4 million Syrians has put “huge” pressure on the Kingdom’s limited resources. 

The Syrian crisis resulted in admitting over 150,000 students to public schools, reducing the water share of Jordanians, increasing competition in the labour market, putting pressure on health services and raising rents, Fakhoury explained. 

He stressed the need to support Jordan in coping with these challenges, and called for supporting the Kingdom’s efforts to end the Syrian crisis. 

The minister pointed to the recent wave of immigration to Europe caused by asylum seekers from Syria, noting that despite the economic capabilities of European countries, the wave of immigration showed that what Jordan has shouldered over the past five years was beyond expectations.

Some European countries talk about receiving a limited number of Syrian refugees in one year, while Jordan has received this number in one or two days during the peak of the crisis, Fakhoury said, according to the statement. 

Despite challenges, the minister said, Jordan would continue its reform and development programmes, citing the directives of His Majesty King Abdullah to turn challenges into opportunities. 

He also briefed them on the Jordan 2025 Vision for economic development, and the key economic and political legislation recently endorsed by the government and Parliament. 

 

Rubio, according to the statement, praised the investment and business environment in Jordan and talked about chances to boost partnerships between the private sectors in both countries to carry out joint projects.

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