Italian deputy foreign minister visits Jordan

AMMAN — Italian Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Marina Sereni on Wednesday arrived in Jordan for a three-day visit with the aim of boosting ties between the two countries, just five months after the visit by Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio. 

Sereni has signed the Cooperation Subsidiary Agreement with Jordan for 2021-2023 with Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Nasser Shraideh, according to an Italian embassy statement.

The Italian member of Government praised Jordan for “bearing a heavy burden due to the inflow of Syrian refugees. We commend your solidarity in supporting the Syrian population”, Sereni said. 

“Italy supports the main international organisations and the Italian civil society organisations active on the ground addressing both the needs of Syrian refugees and of local communities,” she underlined.

The agreement signed by Italy and Jordan provides grants for 30 million euros and soft loans for 185 million euros, including sectors such as healthcare, agriculture. The agreement pillars focus on sustainable economic growth, empowerment of the most vulnerable groups, protection of cultural heritage and promotion of sustainable tourism, as well as people’s health and disability, aiming at improving the well-being and quality of life and training of the public administration to raise standards and promote decentralisation, inclusiveness and participation.

Recently Italy has supported Jordan with a significant soft loan worth 85 million euros to strengthen the education sector, and confirmed its commitment in response to the Syrian crisis, in Syria and in neighbouring countries with 45 million euros. According to Sereni, “the Agreement framework — People, Prosperity, Peace and Security — has been shared with Jordanian Government and will foster inclusive economic growth and decent work, equality and social cohesion, promoting a culture of good governance”.

“We are committed to work on together, because we are convinced that any initiative has to be pursued in a partnership as broad as possible with a strong interaction with the Government of Jordan and an effective policy dialogue,” Sereni added. 

Earlier in the morning, Sereni met the representatives of the Italian civil society organisations working in Jordan, praising their commitment and efforts in many crucial sectors of social cohesion and development. Sereni also visited the Palestinian refugee camp of Hitteen and participated to the handover of the “Housing reconstruction in Hitteen Palestinian refugee camp” project funded by Italy and worked out by UNRWA and UNOPS.