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AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Wednesday held expanded talks with his Hungarian counterpart Peter Szijjártó on bilateral relations and the situation in Gaza and the efforts exerted to impose a ceasefire in the war-torn strip. 

At a joint press conference with Szijjártó, Safadi welcomed the announcement made by Spain, Norway and Ireland to recognise the Palestinian state, adding that more European countries would follow suit.

"We value this decision and consider it a major step in emphasising that the two-state solution as the only way to achieving peace," Safadi said, expressing hope for a wider international effort to "impose peace and put the region and the entire world on a well-defined path towards a just and lasting peace".

Safadi also voiced concerns over the deteriorating situation and the continuation of illegitimate measures in the occupied West Bank, including an Israeli minister storming of Al Aqsa Mosque in violation of the international law.

He also said that such “provocative measures” will lead to more tension and instability.

Safadi said he had “fruitful” talks with the Hungarian foreign minister on bilateral relations that resulted in the signing of four memoranda of understanding, including one on providing 400 scholarships for Jordanian students in Hungarian universities.  

He also said that Jordan and Hungary are keen on advancing their relations forward, especially with the two countries celebrating this year the 60th anniversary for establishing diplomatic ties. 

On the war on Gaza, Safadi said the said that the situation in the Strip is deteriorating especially with several international relief organisations announcing halt to their services due to the restrictions imposed by the Israeli occupation forces.   

“The situation is already on the verge of explosion and we have seen decisions by other ministers allowing illegal settlers returning to settlements which Israel has dismantled years ago,” Safadi said,  adding “Such measures send but one single message that this Israeli government is carrying on with its illegal measures that undermine peace and the two-state solution and that push the region towards more escalation and instability.” 

Safadi said that Jordan and all Arab states supported the talks Egypt, Qatar and the US sponsored to achieve ceasefire and end the war in Gaza, adding, “We want an end to this conflict but its causes have to end first. All Arab states have condemned the killing of civilians on October 7 but we never heard a single Israeli official condemning the killing of more than 35,000 Palestinians in Gaza, 70 per cent of them were children and women.” 

“October 7 did not happen in a vacuum and we have to put the issue within its context to know how to deal with it. The root cause for the region’s conflict is the occupation.” 

For his part, Szijjártó expressed appreciation for Jordan’s support to refugees, saying, “If Jordan did not provide for hundreds of thousands of refugees, we would have done that. Jordan deserves support from Europe.”

He also said that Hungary, during its presidency of the EU, would request a meeting of the European-Jordanian Council to discuss ways of support to the union could extend to Jordan to alleviate the burdens on the Kingdom and on Europe resulting from immigration influxes. 

Szijjártó said that Hungary has extended $4 million to Jordan over the last five years in assistance to refugees and, adding that an office for Hungary Helps would open in Jordan so that his country would be able to continue with this humanitarian work. 

Szijjártó said, “Hungary’s position is based on four points regarding the current situation in the Middle East. First, we reject terrorism, extremism … and what happened on October 7 is unacceptable to us, and the international community must come together to prevent something like this in the future. Secondly, civilians must be protected in any armed conflict that may occur in the world for any reason. Thirdly, refugees must be assisted and humanitarian work must not be hindered …Fourthly, there is a Hungarian citizen still among the hostages, so it is very important for us that the hostages be freed and have their freedom regained.”

AMMAN — Deputising for His Majesty King Abdullah, Minister of State for Prime Ministry Affairs Ibrahim Jazi on Wednesday visited Tehran where he conveyed condolences over the death of Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi, foreign minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, and other officials in the helicopter crash incident.

Jazi expressed His Majesty’s condolences to the interim President of Iran Mohammad Mokhber, and the Iranian government, expressing solidarity with Iranians in this difficult circumstance, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

The Secretary-General of the Foreign Ministry for Diplomatic and Expatriate Affairs Majid Qatarneh accompanied Jazi and the acting Charge d’Affaires and the staff of the Jordanian Embassy in Iran.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah, during a meeting with World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Director Cindy H. McCain on Wednesday, stressed the need to step up international efforts to ensure the sustainable and uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza, in order to mitigate the situation in the Strip.

During the meeting, attended by Her Majesty Queen Rania, His Majesty stressed the importance of reaching an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, warning against the dangerous repercussions of the Israeli ground offensive on Rafah, according to a Royal Court statement. 

The King noted the important role of international organisations such as the WFP in urging the international community to shoulder its responsibilities in protecting civilians, as well as maintaining the flow of relief aid to Gazans.

His Majesty praised the WFP’s continued efforts in working to deliver food to Gaza, which currently faces a humanitarian catastrophe and a risk of famine, the statement said. 

The meeting also covered the partnership between Jordan and the WFP and ways to strengthen it, especially in bolstering food security among Syrian refugees and host communities.

The King highlighted Jordan’s continued efforts to provide basic services for more than 1.3 million Syrian refugees, which requires that the international community increase the support provided to the host countries.

For her part, WFP Executive Director McCain expressed appreciation of the Kingdom’s role in easing the suffering of Gazans and delivering humanitarian, relief, and medical aid through all means available, according to the statement. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan attended the meeting.

AMMAN — Director of the Prime Ministry’s Human Rights Department (HRD) Khalil Abdallat stressed that the education sector receives the attention and care of His Majesty King Abdullah, as it is an essential pillar for building and developing the country.

During his speech at the launch of the Global Action Week for Education 2024 conference, which was organised by the Arab Network for Civic Education (ANHRE), Abdallat stressed the importance of providing quality education to all, regardless of their background or abilities, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

He called for investing in education to develop the skills of young people and enable them to contribute to building Jordan’s future.

The director added that His Majesty directed the government to take tangible steps to improve the quality of education and provide equal opportunities for all, noting that Jordan seeks to adopt the concept of transformative education that focuses on developing critical thinking skills and creativity among students.

He said that the Jordanian state is fully committed to achieving Sustainable Development Goals, including the fourth goal related to quality education for all, where stakeholders seek to monitor progress in this field through accurate indicators and statistics.

Abdallat said that the HRD paid great attention to education during the Universal Periodic Review of human rights that Jordan underwent in 2024. 

ANHRE Director Fotouh Younes stressed that the world recognises the education crisis, the necessity of transforming education, and the role of transformative education in ending the education crisis and other multiple crises, such as climate change crises, the mass loss of biodiversity, natural disasters, epidemics, extreme poverty, violent conflicts, food insecurity and rapid technological change.

On the sidelines of the conference, several specialised sessions were held on transformative education and enhancing collective partnerships and solidarity to adhere to transformative education.

AMMAN — The exports of Jordan’s medical industries and supplies sector witnessed an increase of 13.4 per cent during the first third of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

According to data released by the Jordan Chamber of Industry (JCI), the sector’s exports — including human pharmaceuticals, veterinary drugs, pesticides, and medical supplies — went up to JD228 million in the first four months of this year, up from JD201 million in the corresponding period last year, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Fadi Atrash, representative of the medical industries and supplies sector at the JCI, stressed the sector’s robust performance despite challenges such as disruptions in the Red Sea region’s logistics.

Atrash noted that the growth in the sector’s exports has positioned it sixth in terms of export value and fourth in terms of positive growth among subsectors.

He added that the sector managed to access new markets, particularly in Central Asia, Africa and Europe, noting that several companies obtained essential certifications, such as the European Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and CE certification, which facilitate exports to European markets.

Atrash also pointed out recent initiatives by factories to establish new production lines for animal vaccines, vitamins, and innovative pharmaceutical forms, including intravenous injections and inhalers. 

He said that the sector’s inclusion in Jordan’s Economic Modernisation Vision has significantly streamlined procedures, accelerated registration processes and positively affected export growth in the January-April period of 2024.

The vision aims to further boost the sector’s exports to JD2.1 billion, create 16,000 job opportunities, and increase its contribution to the GDP to JD1.7 billion by 2033, Atrash noted.

He added that the medical industries and supplies sector in Jordan comprises 151 establishments with a registered capital of approximately JD341 million, where the Kingdom has 15 factories operating abroad, mainly in Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Sudan.

AMMAN — Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh on Wednesday met with several Arab media leaders participating in the Jordan Forum for Media and Digital Communication.

During the meeting, the prime minister voiced appreciation for their efforts and supportive stances towards Jordan.

Khasawneh highlighted the comprehensive modernisation project in its political, economic, and administrative paths, which, he said, includes realistic targets that will enhance the resilience, capabilities and potential of the Kingdom in various fields, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The prime minister stressed that Jordan is a nation capable of boosting its resilience and capacity, referring to the issuance of a Royal decree to hold parliamentary elections on September 10 as a constitutional entitlement, marking an important milestone in the political path of the comprehensive modernisation project. 

He noted that maintaining the continuity of life does not in any way conflict with the support that Jordan provides to Arab issues, foremost of which is the Palestinian cause, stressing that the Kingdom’s resilience, strength, and capability enable it to fulfil its role towards other Arab nations.

Khasawneh briefed the Arab media leaders on Jordan’s efforts to reach an immediate stop of the brutal Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, deliver comprehensive and sustainable humanitarian aid to all areas in Gaza, and move towards an irreversible political path that leads to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions. 

Such endeavours must include clear timelines and commitments, with an emphasis on the geographic unity between the West Bank and Gaza as a fundamental basis for the fully sovereign and independent Palestinian state on the pre-1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, the premier added.

He reiterated Jordan’s stance against any attempts or circumstances that could lead to the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza or the West Bank, stating that this is a “red line” and constitutes a material breach of the Jordanian-Israeli peace treaty.

Khasawneh also pointed to the efforts of His Majesty, in coordination with other countries and relevant international organisations, to ensure increasing humanitarian and medical aid to the people of Gaza.

The prime minister highlighted the Kingdom’s keenness to support and enhance Arab cooperation initiatives at bilateral and multilateral levels, which would boost integration among them. 

In this regard, he pointed to the industrial integration initiative between Jordan, Egypt, the UAE, and Bahrain, which other countries are expected to join.

For their part, the media representatives praised Amman’s efforts and positions on various Arab issues, mainly the Palestinian cause, as well as the efforts it exerts to enhance cooperation with Arab countries.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday hosted an official dinner at Al Husseiniya Palace in honour of Oman Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and the accompanying delegation, attended by Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Hussein, and Prince Feisal; the escort of honour to Sultan Haitham, as well as senior officials, according to a Royal Court statement. 

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday received Oman Sultan Haitham bin Tariq at Marka Airport at the start of his state visit to Jordan.

An official welcoming ceremony was held for the Oman sultan.

Their Royal Highnesses Prince Feisal; the escort of honour to Sultan Haitham, and Prince Hashim bin Hussein, and His Highness Prince Mired bin Ra'ad; Chief Royal Councilor at the Royal Hashemite Court, as well as the heads of authorities, senior officials and officers, Jordan’s ambassador to Oman, and Oman’s ambassador to Jordan were present to receive the sultan, according to a Royal Court statement. 

Royal Jordanian Air Force F16 fighter jets accompanied Sultan Haitham’s aircraft upon entering Jordan’s airspace.

A high-level delegation, including Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq, Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham Al Said, Minister of the Diwan of Royal Court Khalid bin Hilal Al Busaidi, Minister of Royal Office Sultan bin Mohammed Al Nu'amani, Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, and a number of officials are accompanying Sultan Haitham on his visit to Jordan.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday received Sweden Foreign Minister Tobias Billström.

The meeting, held at Al Husseiniya Palace, covered the latest regional developments and the dangerous situation in Gaza, with His Majesty stressing the need to reach an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Strip, and calling on the international community to shoulder its responsibilities in increasing aid to Gaza and ensuring its uninterrupted flow, a Royal Court statement said. 

The King reiterated the need to continue supporting UNRWA to enable it to provide its humanitarian services in accordance with its UN mandate, especially in light of the deteriorating conditions in Gaza.

His Majesty also warned of extremist settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

The King reaffirmed the importance of creating a political horizon to achieve just and comprehensive peace on the basis of the two-state solution, which guarantees the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 4 June 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, the statement said. 

His Majesty commended Sweden’s support for the ceasefire in Gaza, and its efforts in maintaining support for UNRWA, as well as its support for the two-state solution.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan and Swedish Ambassador to Jordan Alexandra Rydmark attended the meeting.

AMMAN — HRH Prince Hassan Bin Talal delivered a lecture on Tuesday, at the Royal Jordanian National Defence College titled “Management of National Resources”. 

The event was attended by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Maj. Gen.Yousef Huneiti and the college’s commandant Brig. Gen. Khaled Bani Younes.

Prince Hassan emphasised the importance of institutional management of national resources, highlighting that investment in human capital is one of the most significant forms of national resource investment through education, training and qualification.

He said that Jordan is not limited in resources but requires prioritisation and clarification of these resources for optimal management.

Prince Hassan underscored the importance of applying comprehensive concepts and integrating disciplines and merging civilian and military resources, affirming that managing defence resources is an integral part of the development process.

He pointed out that the concept of security now extends beyond military security to include food, human, social, economic, water and employment security, among others.

He noted that discussions on resource management cannot be separated from the challenges facing the region and the world, emphasising the importance of strategic thinking in diversifying external resources, particularly water, food and energy, to ensure national security.