Local

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah, in a phone call on Tuesday with Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, warned against the dangerous repercussions of the Israeli ground offensive on Rafah. 

The phone call covered the importance of reaching an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, as well as stepping up efforts to ensure the uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid to the Strip, according to a Royal Court statement. 

During the call, His Majesty reiterated Jordan’s condemnation of the attack by extremist Israeli settlers on a Jordanian aid convoy heading to Gaza via the Beit Hanoun/Erez crossing, the statement said. 

 For his part, the Canadian prime minister expressed concern over attacks by extremist Israeli settlers on aid convoys heading to Gaza.

 The two sides stressed the need to create a political horizon to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the basis of the two-state solution, according to the statement.

AMMNA — Jordan and Germany have finalised talks in Berlin on development cooperation for 2024-2025.

The ministries of planning and international cooperation of both countries have signed the official minutes of the talks, which outline a new aid package for Jordan of approximately 619 million euros in grants and concessional loans over the period, according to a Planning Ministry statement. 

The funds will be used to finance various priorities outlined in the executive programme of Jordan's Economic Modernisation Vision, public sector modernisation roadmap and Jordan Response Plan for Syria Crisis (JRPSC), the statement said. 

The allocations include approximately 269 million euros in grants and 350 million euros in concessional loans, focusing on sectors such as employment, water, sanitation, public sector modernisation, vocational training, technical education, private sector development and the implementation of economic reforms.

During the discussions, German officials were briefed on the significant challenges faced by Jordan in hosting a large number of Syrian refugees, particularly in the context of declining support for JRPSC. 

The talks underlined the importance of continued support from the German government, with the German side reaffirming their commitment to support the key priorities outlined in the JRPSC and through the World Bank-led Global Concessional Financing Facility (GCFF).

This support aims to enable Jordan to continue to provide essential services to Syrian refugees in camps and host communities in sectors such as health, education, water, municipal services and others, as well as to provide necessary support to UN agencies working in this field, the statement said. 

German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Svenja Schulze reaffirmed her country’s commitment as a reliable partner for Jordan, especially in light of the challenging regional circumstances.

 She acknowledged the significant challenges Jordan is facing as a result of successive external crises and their economic and social impact.

Germany allocates 619 million euros in new development aid to Jordan

The ministries of planning and international cooperation of both countries have signed the official minutes of the talks, which outline a new aid package for Jordan of approximately 619 million euros in grants and concessional loans over the period, according to a Planning Ministry statement. 

The funds will be used to finance various priorities outlined in the executive programme of Jordan’s Economic Modernization Vision, public sector modernisation roadmap and Jordan Response Plan for Syria Crisis (JRPSC), the statement said. 

The allocations include approximately269 million euros in grants and 350 million euros in concessional loans, focusing on sectors such as employment, water, sanitation, public sector modernisation, vocational training, technical education, private sector development and the implementation of economic reforms.

During the discussions, German officials were briefed on the significant challenges faced by Jordan in hosting a large number of Syrian refugees, particularly in the context of declining support for JRPSC. 

The talks underlined the importance of continued support from the German government, with the German side reaffirming their commitment to support the key priorities outlined in the JRPSC and through the World Bank-led Global Concessional Financing Facility (GCFF).

This support aims to enable Jordan to continue to provide essential services to Syrian refugees in camps and host communities in sectors such as health, education, water, municipal services and others, as well as to provide necessary support to UN agencies working in this field, the statement said. 

German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Svenja Schulze reaffirmed her country’s commitment as a reliable partner for Jordan, especially in light of the challenging regional circumstances.

 She acknowledged the significant challenges Jordan is facing as a result of successive external crises and their economic and social impact.

AMMAN — HRH Prince Hassan, chairperson of the Royal Institute for Interfaith Studies (RIIFS) board of trustees, on Wednesday inaugurated the seventh international seminar of the institute under the title "Humanity in Times of Peace and in Times of War."

The seminar is organised by the Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies, in cooperation with the Vatican Embassy to Jordan, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Jordan and the Vatican and the establishment of the institute.

Prince Hassan emphasised that the essence of interfaith dialogue is not merely about coexistence but about achieving justice and eradicating oppression, stressing that harmony among different faiths cannot be achieved if their followers exploit religious beliefs to perpetuate injustice and occupation.

Prince Hassan also highlighted that the root of the problem does not lie in the beliefs themselves, but rather in political conflicts and material interests, stressing the importance of analytical thinking and fostering a culture of kindness and trust, which he believes should be the foundation of any dialogue.

Prince Hassan underscored the significant role of human dignity in guiding policies, calling for a shift in focus towards self-culture, solidarity, independence, and respect for others to achieve equality. He also said that the tragedies we witness should not weaken or undermine our faith and beliefs.

AMMAN — Interior Minister Mazen Faria on Wednesday issued a directive to administrative governors to release 485 administrative detainees who do not pose any danger to society or public order, ensuring their smooth reintegration into society.

 The decision comes after a comprehensive review of the cases of detainees to ensure that there is no threat to their lives or the lives of citizens, while maintaining public safety, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

AMMAN — Jordan Maritime Commission (JMC) under Transport Ministry and Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure in UAE sealed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday, to mutually acknowledge maritime certificates for navigators in both countries, aiming to bolster cooperation, enhance capabilities, and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and information in the maritime sector. 

JMC Director General Omar Dabbas and Hessa Malek advisor of the UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure for Maritime Transport Affairs emphasised the significance of advancing operations in the maritime transport sector , according to  the Jordan News Agency, Petra. 

 Dabbas said the commitment of both countries to bolstering cooperation in maritime industries, asserting the essential role of coordinated efforts in serving shared interests, promoting international development in the maritime industry, and ensuring security environmental protection.

He urged the commission to monitor training operations to align with the best global practices, and outlined the importance of the memorandum in advancing scientific and technological knowledge in the maritime sector. 

Malek emphasied  the role of the agreement in advancing mutual interests through technology exchange and collaboration

AMMAN — Senate President Faisal Fayez on Wednesday met with Omani Ambassador Fahad Alojaili over means to enhance bilateral ties in a way that benefits both countries and their peoples and serves the interests of Arab and Islamic nations.

Fayez praised the "deep" Jordanian-Omani relations, reiterating their development at various political, economic, investment, and parliamentary levels, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Talks during the meeting went over the prevailing conditions within the occupied Palestinian territories and the Gaza Strip, where Fayez reviewed His Majesty King Abdullah's endeavours to stop the heinous Israeli war on Palestinians, and stressed the importance of reaching political grounds to end the Israeli occupation.

The Senate president also called for a decisive and effective pan-Arab stance that can stop the Israeli aggression and put an end to the genocide and war crimes perpetrated by Israel. 

The Omani ambassador praised King Abdullah's substantial role and unwavering endeavours in addressing regional challenges, fostering peace, and defending Arab just causes, mainly the Palestinian predicament, 

He also stressed Muscat's commitment to boosting relations with Amman in various fields and enhancing economic and investment partnerships.

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi held talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday, focusing on urgent efforts to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the recent Israeli attack on Rafah.

During a phone call, Safadi and Blinken discussed the attack launched by Israeli extremists on a Jordanian aid convoy that was on its way to Gaza via the Beit Hanoun/Erez crossing, according to a statement by the  Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Safadi called for the international community to condemn this attack as a serious crime and to hold Israel fully accountable.

Blinken condemned the violence carried out by Israeli extremists with the aim of obstructing the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, saying that the US expects the Israeli government to take decisive measures to prevent such attacks on aid convoys and ensure that their perpetrators are held accountable.

Blinken praised the Kingdom for its pioneering role in providing basic humanitarian aid to the besieged sector.

The discussion also focused on efforts to achieve an immediate ceasefire, secure the release of hostages and prevent further escalation of the conflict in the region.

The two diplomats mentioned the importance of the ongoing mediation efforts led by Egypt, Qatar and the United States to finalise the exchange agreement and secure a ceasefire.

Safadi stressed the "dire" consequences of the Israeli aggression on Rafah and the obstruction of the entry of aid through the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings.

Both countries affirmed their commitment to cooperate in delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza, and the importance of making joint efforts to address the crisis.